Doesn't ifconfig show IPv4 address? (IPv6 related)

Abstract: Users encountering issues with IPv4 addresses and ifconfig command in the context of IPv6.

Created: 2024-02-18 by UserComp.com Editors

Doesn't ifconfig show IPv4 address? (IPv6 related)

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Introduction

When working with networks, it is important to understand how to view and configure IP addresses. The ifconfig command is a popular tool used to view and configure network interfaces on Unix-like operating systems. However, some users may notice that the ifconfig command does not display the IPv4 address by default. This article will explain why this is the case and how to view both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses using the ifconfig command.

IPv4 and IPv6 addresses

IP addresses are unique identifiers assigned to devices on a network. There are two main types of IP addresses in use today: IPv4 and IPv6. IPv4 addresses are 32-bit numbers, while IPv6 addresses are 128-bit numbers. IPv4 addresses are running out, which is why IPv6 addresses are being adopted.

The ifconfig command

The ifconfig command is used to view and configure network interfaces on Unix-like operating systems. When run without any arguments, it will display information about all of the network interfaces on the system. The output will include the name of the interface, its current IP address, and other relevant information.

Viewing IPv4 and IPv6 addresses with ifconfig

By default, the ifconfig command will only display the IPv6 address of an interface. To view the IPv4 address, you need to use the -a flag. For example, the following command will display information about all of the network interfaces on the system, including both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses:

ifconfig -a

The ifconfig command is a powerful tool for viewing and configuring network interfaces on Unix-like operating systems. By default, it will only display the IPv6 address of an interface. To view the IPv4 address, you need to use the -a flag. Understanding how to use the ifconfig command is essential for anyone working with networks on Unix-like operating systems.

References

IPv4 address: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPv4
IPv6 address: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPv6
ifconfig command: https://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man8/ifconfig.8.html

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Tags: tech-support Linux Networking IPv4 IPv6

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