Questions and Answers on Linux Networking

How can I check what IP my Linux system was given by my DHCP server?

ifconfig is the command line way to check your networking

ifconfig

If you know the interface name you can give that as an argument like this:

ifconfig eth0

Note that this is different from most other UNIX systems, where you have to tell ifconfig what you want it to do. To display a list of all network devices, you have to give ifconfig a "-a", like so:

ifconfig -a

Which, of course, works under Linux as well. If you remember that, you won't be seen as a clueless Linux luser by your BSD buddies.

Packets can't get out?

Check your routing tables.

route

Use the -n option to replace those "*".

route -n

Why don't these commands work?

You may need to specify the path. Add /sbin/ on the front of the commands.