What is ifconfig Command ?

ifconfig is a system administration utility in Unix-like operating systems for network interface configuration

Common uses for ifconfig include setting the IP addressand subnetmaskof a network interface and disabling or enabling an interface.

Key Features :

• Setting IP Addresses and Subnet Masks: ifconfig is used to assign IP addresses and netmasks to network interfaces.

• Enabling/Disabling Interfaces: It can activate or deactivate network interfaces.

• MAC Address Configuration: ifconfig can change the medium access control (MAC) address of an interface.

• Interactive Tool: System administrators use it to display and analyze network interface parameters.

  Common Usages Of The ifconfig Command:

• Displaying Interface Information:

  ➤ ifconfig

  This command without any arguments displays information about all active network interfaces on your system, including their IP addresses, MAC addresses, and other relevant details.

• Enabling or Disabling an Interface:

  ➤ ifconfig <interface_name> up

  ➤ ifconfig <interface_name> down

  This enables (up) or disables (down) a specific network interface.

• Setting IP Address:

  ➤ ifconfig <interface_name> <ip_address>

  This sets the IP address for a specific network interface.

• Changing MAC Address:

  ➤ ifconfig <interface_name> hw ether <new_mac_address>

  This changes the MAC address of a network interface.

• Promiscuous Mode:

  ➤ ifconfig <interface_name> promisc

  This puts a network interface into promiscuous mode, allowing it to capture all network traffic, not just traffic specifically addressed to it.

• Displaying Specific Interface:

  ➤ ifconfig <interface_name>

  This shows detailed information about a specific network interface.

• Deleting an IP Address:

  ➤ ifconfig <interface_name> 0.0.0.0

  This removes the IP address from a specific network interface.

Conclusion :-

ifconfig remains a fundamental tool for configuring network interfaces in Unix-like systems. However, its usage is gradually being replaced by more modern alternatives like the IP suite. Understanding how to use ifconfig is essential for system administrators managing network configurations