Dictionary · Linux and Windows Commands
ifconfig
Addressing · Intermediate
An older Unix command that shows or configures interfaces and addresses. Many current Linux systems prefer the newer ip utility, though this command remains on macOS and some distributions.
It prints each interface, its hardware address, and its protocol addresses. On modern Linux, you may be told to use the newer utility instead.
Example: ifconfig shows en0 with an inet address and a netmask, confirming which interface is up.
Command
Platform: macOS and older Unix-like systems
ifconfig
UP means the interface is enabled. inet is the 32-bit address. The hardware address is often labeled ether.
Common misconception
- It is not the modern Linux default. The ip utility replaced it on many distributions.