tracepath command in Linux
The tracepath command in Linux is used to trace the route that packets take from your device to a destination host. It sends packets with increasing Time-To-Live (TTL) values and reports the IP addresses of the routers along the path. This tool is useful for network troubleshooting and understanding the network topology between your device and a remote host.
tracepath Syntax:
tracepath [options] destinationLinux tracepath Options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| -b | Use a flow-based algorithm |
| -j | Do not display the path |
| -l NUM | Set the maximum number of hops |
| -m NUM | Set the initial time-to-live |
| -n | Do not resolve addresses to hostnames |
| -p PORT | Use a specific destination port |
| -q NUM | Set the number of queries |
| -s NUM | Set the source address |
| -4 | Use IPv4 |
| -6 | Use IPv6 |
tracepath Parameters:
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| destination | The destination to trace the path to |
How to use tracepath command:
Trace the route to a specific domain
tracepath google.comTraces the route taken to reach the domain “google.com”.
Trace the route to a specific IP address
tracepath 8.8.8.8Traces the route taken to reach the IP address “8.8.8.8”.
Verbose tracing to a domain
tracepath -n -b -v facebook.comPerforms a verbose tracepath to the domain “facebook.com” without resolving addresses or symbolic names.
Set the maximum number of hops
tracepath -m 15 twitter.comTraces the route to the domain “twitter.com” with a maximum of 15 hops.
Trace with IPv6
tracepath -6 youtube.comTraces the IPv6 route to the domain “youtube.com”.
Using UDP protocol to trace
tracepath -u github.comTraces the route to the domain “github.com” using the UDP protocol.
Display timing information for each hop
tracepath -T 80 linkedin.comTraces the route to the domain “linkedin.com” and displays timing information for each hop on port 80.
Trace in reverse direction
tracepath -S 192.168.1.1 192.168.2.1Traces the route from “192.168.1.1” to “192.168.2.1” in the reverse direction.
How do I use tracepath in Linux?
To use the tracepath command in Linux, execute the following command:
tracepath google.comWhat is the purpose of tracepath?
The tracepath command is used in Linux to trace the network path to a specific destination, showing the route taken by packets and the number of hops along the way.
tracepath example.comHow can I specify the maximum number of hops in tracepath?
You can limit the number of hops to be displayed in tracepath by using the ‘-m’ option followed by the maximum number of hops.
tracepath -m 20 example.comHow do I perform a DNS lookup before tracing the path with tracepath?
To perform a DNS lookup before tracing the path, use the ‘-n’ option in the tracepath command.
tracepath -n example.comCan I trace both IPv4 and IPv6 routes with tracepath?
Yes, you can trace both IPv4 and IPv6 routes in tracepath. Use the ‘-4’ option for IPv4 and the ‘-6’ option for IPv6.
tracepath -4 example.comHow can I display the AS (Autonomous System) numbers in the tracepath output?
To display the AS numbers in the tracepath output, use the ‘-l’ option when executing the command.
tracepath -l example.comIs it possible to set a specific source address for tracepath?
Yes, you can set a specific source address for tracepath using the ‘-s’ option followed by the desired source IP address.
tracepath -s 192.168.1.10 example.comHow can I increase the verbosity of tracepath output?
To increase the verbosity level of tracepath output, use the ‘-v’ option multiple times to display additional information.
tracepath -vv example.comApplications of the tracepath command
- Check the path taken by packets to a destination
- Troubleshoot network connectivity issues
- Determine the number of hops to a destination
- Identify network bottlenecks
- Analyze the routing path to a specific host
- Discover the round-trip time for packets to reach a destination