ifconfig command not found - Debian 12

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Why ifconfig is no longer available in Debian 12

In Debian 12, the traditional ifconfig command is no longer included by default. This is because ifconfig has been deprecated in favor of the more modern ip command, which provides more functionalities and is actively maintained by the Linux community.

What ifconfig command does

The ifconfig command is used to configure network interfaces, display information about network interfaces, and manage network settings on a Linux system. However, due to its limitations and lack of support for newer networking technologies, it has been replaced by the ip command.

How to install ifconfig command on Debian 12

To install the ifconfig command on Debian 12, you can do so by installing the net-tools package. Follow these steps:

  1. Open a terminal window.
  2. Run the following command to update the package list:
sudo apt update
  1. Install the net-tools package using the following command:
sudo apt install net-tools
  1. Once the installation is complete, you can use the ifconfig command as you would on previous Debian versions.

Conclusion

While ifconfig has been a staple in networking configurations for many years, its deprecation in Debian 12 signals the importance of adapting to newer tools and technologies in the Linux ecosystem. By transitioning to the ip command and other modern networking utilities, users can take advantage of enhanced features and better support for evolving networking standards.