What does the command 'ifconfig' do?

The command 'ifconfig' is used to configure network interfaces in Linux and other UNIX-like operating systems. When you execute 'ifconfig', it allows you to view and manipulate the properties of network interfaces on your machine. This includes tasks such as assigning IP addresses, enabling or disabling interfaces, and displaying the current status and settings of those interfaces.

Historically, 'ifconfig' has been a fundamental tool for network management, providing important information about each interface, such as the IP address, MAC address, the number of transmitted packets, and error statistics. Although it has largely been replaced by the 'ip' command in many distributions, it is still widely used and understood, especially in educational contexts.

Understanding how to configure network interfaces is essential for managing and troubleshooting networks in a Linux environment, making 'ifconfig' a crucial command for network administration tasks.