Unix IP Commands for TCP/IP Services
Unix IP commands executed at the command line help network administrators perform their job. For example, using the ping command and getting a reply to a ping will let you know if an IP is currently assigned and therefore in use. To clarify, if a ping to an in-house IP address doesn't reply, the IP you're trying to reach is not assigned, or the assigned computer of the IP is possibly not powered on. The ping command, along with several of the more common commands, are listed in the table below.
| Description | Unix IP Command |
|---|---|
| Sends ICMP ECHO_REQUEST and Displays Response | ping |
| Display Current Config For All NICs | ifconfig |
| Display Current Config For dc0 | ifconfig dc0 |
| Assign Multiple IP Addresses | ifconfig dc0:0 192.168.1.2 |
| Assign Second IP | ifconfig dc0:1 192.168.1.3 |
| Disable Network Card | ifconfig dc0 down |
| Enable Network Card | ifconfig dc0 up |
| Assign IP/Subnet | ifconfig dc0 inet 192.168.1.2 netmask 255.255.255.0 |
| Assign Gateway | route delete default && route add default 192.168.1.1 |
*You MUST be at the ROOT user to make or save any changes. Consequently, you will need to save your changes in the /etc/rc.conf file. Therefore, network cards referred to as dc0, dc1, dc2, etcetera are based on their position on the PCI bus. These commands work in other operating systems like Linux. We have a specific page for Linux IP Commands that can help you decipher which IP command is the one you need to use to perform your specific task. Although Unix development started in the 1970s by AT&T, the ping command was not yet introduced until 1983 and is named after the sound that sonar makes.
If you need other TCP/IP commands, they are also available on our site for VMS systems and Linux systems as mentioned above. A general list of common TCP/IP commands for DOS/Windows users is also available.
*Special thanks to Romanov Sergey Vladimirovich from Moscow for providing the UNIX IP Commands!