The netstat Command

Displays network connections, routing tables, interface stats, and open ports.


  • Interface stats: netstat -i
  • Shows RX/TX packets and errors.
  • TX-ERR high → possible network issues.

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  • Routing table: netstat -r

  • Similar to route; shows where packets are sent.

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  • Open ports (listening services): netstat -tln

  • -t → TCP, -l → listening, -n → numeric addresses.

  • Example: port #22 is listening, which means it is open.

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  • Show names instead of numbers: netstat -tl

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  • Notes:

  • netstat is obsolete in many distributions.

  • Replacements:

    • ss → network connections
    • ip route → routing table
    • ip -s link → interface stats
    • ip maddr → multicast addresses