This post explores various alternative to IPConfig on Ubuntu. Bobcares, as a part of our Server Management Service offers solutions to every query that comes our way.

Overview

1. Alternative to IPConfig on Ubuntu
2. Conclusion

Alternative to IPConfig on Ubuntu

For users transitioning from Windows to Ubuntu, the absence of the IPConfig command may seem challenging. However, Ubuntu offers several robust alternatives to help us manage and troubleshoot the network interfaces and IP configurations. This article explores the best tools to replace IPConfig on Ubuntu.

1. The ip Command (Recommended Alternative)

The ip command is the modern replacement for older tools like ifconfig and is part of the powerful iproute2 package. It is highly versatile and widely recommended for managing network configurations. The key features include:

• Supports both IPv4 and IPv6.

• Manages IP addresses, routes, and network interfaces.

• Provides detailed network statistics.

Common Commands:

View all network interfaces and IP addresses:

ip addr

Display only active interfaces:

ip -br addr

Show the routing table:

ip route

Bring an interface up or down:

sudo ip link set dev eth0 up
sudo ip link set dev eth0 down

2. The ifconfig Command

ifconfig is a classic tool similar to IPConfig but is now deprecated in favor of ip. While it is no longer installed by default, it remains useful for those accustomed to older Linux systems. The key features include:

• Simple interface for basic networking tasks.

• Familiar syntax for users migrating from older Linux distributions.

How to Install?

If ifconfig is missing, we can install it as part of the net-tools package:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install net-tools -y

Common Commands:

Show network interfaces:

ifconfig

Assign an IP address to an interface:

sudo ifconfig eth0 192.168.1.100 netmask 255.255.255.0

Bring an interface up or down:

sudo ifconfig eth0 up
sudo ifconfig eth0 down

3. The nmcli Command

nmcli is a powerful command-line interface for managing NetworkManager, the default networking service in most Ubuntu installations. The key features include:

• Manage both wired and wireless connections.

• Configure IP settings, DNS, and other network details.

• Monitor and troubleshoot active connections.

Common Commands:

View active connections:

nmcli connection show

Check device status:

nmcli device status

Set a static IP address:

nmcli connection modify "Wired connection 1" ipv4.addresses 192.168.1.100/24 ipv4.method manual
nmcli connection up "Wired connection 1"

4. The nmtui Command

For users who prefer an interactive text-based interface, nmtui provides a beginner-friendly way to manage network settings. The key features include:

• Simple navigation with keyboard shortcuts.

• Handles Wi-Fi and wired connections.

• Easily configure hostnames and IP settings.

Usage:

Open nmtui:

nmtui

From the interface, we can:

• Edit network connections.

• Activate or deactivate connections.

• Configure IP and DNS settings.

5. Tools for Troubleshooting: ping and traceroute

While not direct replacements for IPConfig, these tools are invaluable for diagnosing network issues.

Common Commands:

Test connectivity to a host:

ping -c 4 google.com

Trace the route to a host:

traceroute google.com

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Conclusion

Ubuntu’s alternatives to IPConfig ensure that we can effectively manage the network configurations with ease and flexibility. Whether we are a beginner or an experienced user, these tools cater to all levels of expertise. Start exploring them today!