As a computer user, sometimes you may need certain tools or utilities to manage your network or troubleshoot connectivity issues that aren’t easily available in your standard operating system. However, you may already have a powerful tool that can do everything you need – the Terminal.

Most people think of Terminal as a command-line interface that only advanced users or programmers use. However, it can also serve as a versatile network utility replacement if you know how to use it. Here are some essential commands you can try out:

1. ping

The ping command is one of the most basic and useful utilities for testing network connectivity. With Terminal, you can use it to check if a website or an IP address is accessible or measure its response time. Simply type the following command:

ping [address]

For example, ping google.com or ping 8.8.8.8

2. traceroute

Sometimes, you may encounter network issues that prevent you from accessing certain websites or services. The traceroute command helps you visualize the route packets take through the internet to reach their destination. It can help you pinpoint where the connection is breaking down. Use it by typing:

traceroute [address]

For example, traceroute google.com or traceroute 8.8.8.8

3. netstat

If you want to view the status of active network connections on your system, the netstat command can provide you with a wealth of information. It shows you which ports are open, what services are using them, and the type of connection. Simply type:

netstat

You can also filter and customize the output based on your specific needs using flags like -a, -p, or -n.

4. ifconfig

The ifconfig command lets you see and manage the network interfaces on your computer, like ethernet or Wi-Fi connections. You can use it to configure the IP address, netmask, gateway, and even set up a static IP. Type:

ifconfig

You can also use it to diagnose connection issues by checking if the interface is up or down and seeing the traffic statistics.

5. nslookup

If you want to resolve a domain name to its corresponding IP address or vice versa, the nslookup command can do that for you. This can be useful when you want to access a server by its IP address or test if the DNS server is working correctly. Just type:

nslookup [address]

For example, nslookup google.com or nslookup 8.8.8.8

In conclusion, Terminal can be an excellent tool for managing your network and troubleshooting connectivity problems. You don’t need to be a networking expert to use it, just know the basic commands and what they do. With these few tips, you can replace many network utilities and get better insights into your system’s network performance.