Linux Networking Tools
Tools for checking connectivity, analysing traffic, testing DNS and bandwidth, and connecting to other computers.
Networking problems are easier to solve with the right tool. Start with the question you're trying to answer, then pick a tool below. Only scan or capture traffic on networks you own or administer.
Part of the Network Engineer toolkit, which explains when you would use each tool.
What are you trying to do?
- Check whether a host is reachable
→ ping (iputils) / fping
- See where network traffic is going
→ traceroute / MTR
- Inspect network packets
→ Wireshark / TShark / tcpdump
- Check DNS records
→ dig and nslookup (BIND utilities)
- Test network bandwidth
→ iperf3
- Discover devices and services on a network you administer
→ Nmap / Angry IP Scanner
- Connect to another computer remotely
→ OpenSSH / Remmina / PuTTY
- Transfer files between computers
→ rsync / OpenSSH / FileZilla
Connectivity and ping
Send test packets to see whether a computer or service responds, and how quickly.
Route analysis
Show each hop between you and a destination, to find where delays or failures happen.
Packet analysis
Capture and examine network traffic in detail, for troubleshooting and learning how protocols work.
DNS
Look up how names resolve to addresses, and check a domain's records.
- dig and nslookup (BIND utilities)
dig shows detailed DNS answers; nslookup gives quick lookups.
Open SourceLinux
Bandwidth testing
Measure throughput between two machines you control.
Network discovery
Find which hosts and services are present, for inventory and troubleshooting on networks you manage.
Remote access
Log in to servers or view remote desktops securely.
File transfer
Copy and synchronise files between machines over the network.