mtr command in Linux
The mtr command in Linux combines the functionality of ‘traceroute’ and ‘ping’ to provide extensive network diagnostic information. It continuously polls network routers along the path to a destination, displaying data on packet loss, latency, and network congestion. This real-time data visualization helps in troubleshooting network issues and identifying potential bottlenecks. With mtr, users can pinpoint network problems more effectively and make informed decisions to optimize network performance.
mtr Syntax:
mtr [options] [hostname or IP address]Linux mtr Options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| -h | Display the help screen |
| -4 | Use IPv4 only |
| -6 | Use IPv6 only |
| -c | Number of pings to send |
| -i | Interval between pings (seconds) |
| -w | Destination port number |
| -r | Bypass the reverse DNS lookup |
| -s | Set the maximum packet size |
| -t | Set the TCP port number |
mtr Parameters:
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| hostname/IP | The hostname or IP address to trace |
How to use mtr command:
Trace the Route to a Website
mtr google.comTraces the route to the website “google.com” showing the network hops and latency.
Trace the Route to a Specific IP Address
mtr 8.8.8.8Traces the route to the specific IP address “8.8.8.8” displaying network statistics.
Increase the Interval Between Packets
mtr -i 5 google.comTraces the route to “google.com” with an interval of 5 seconds between packets.
Specify the Number of Packets to Send
mtr -c 10 google.comTraces the route to “google.com” sending 10 packets before terminating.
Print DNS Information in Output
mtr -n -r google.comTraces the route to “google.com” without DNS resolution but showing IP addresses.
Display Packet Loss Percentage
mtr -r --report google.comTraces the route to “google.com” showing the percentage of packet loss.
Trace the Route with Specific TCP/UDP Port
mtr --port 80 google.comTraces the route to “google.com” using port 80 for both TCP and UDP.
Save Output to a File
mtr google.com > trace_output.txtTraces the route to “google.com” and saves the output to a file named “trace_output.txt”.
How do I use mtr in Linux?
To use the mtr command in Linux, execute the following command:
mtr --report google.comHow do I specify the number of packets to send with mtr in Linux?
To specify the number of packets to send with mtr in Linux, use the -c option followed by the number of packets. For example:
mtr -c 10 google.comHow can I set an interval between packets in mtr in Linux?
To set an interval between packets in mtr in Linux, use the -i option followed by the interval time in seconds. Here is an example:
mtr -i 1 google.comHow do I resolve hostnames to IP addresses in mtr in Linux?
To resolve hostnames to IP addresses in mtr in Linux, use the -n option. This option prevents hostname resolution. For example:
mtr -n google.comHow can I specify a custom port in mtr in Linux?
To specify a custom port in mtr in Linux, use the -P option followed by the port number. Here’s an example:
mtr -P 443 google.comHow do I display AS numbers in mtr in Linux?
To display AS (Autonomous System) numbers in mtr output in Linux, use the -z option. This will show the AS path to the destination. For example:
mtr -z google.comHow can I change the display mode of mtr in Linux?
To change the display mode of mtr in Linux, use the -t option followed by the desired mode. You can choose from ‘normal’, ‘raw’, or ‘json’. Here’s an example:
mtr -t raw google.comHow do I set a specific timeout for mtr in Linux?
To set a specific timeout for mtr in Linux, use the -w option followed by the timeout value in seconds. For example:
mtr -w 2 google.comHow can I specify the network interface to use with mtr in Linux?
To specify the network interface to use with mtr in Linux, use the -i option followed by the interface name. Here’s an example:
mtr -i eth0 google.comApplications of the mtr command
- Network diagnostics
- Analyzing network latency
- Identifying packet loss
- Traceroute functionality with continuous monitoring
- Identifying network congestion
- Troubleshooting network issues
- Monitoring network performance