What is the function of the command 'ip link set <interface> <option>'?

The command 'ip link set ' serves the important function of changing the state or configuration of a network link. This command is part of the 'ip' suite, which is used for managing network interfaces and configurations in Linux systems.

When you use this command, you can perform various actions such as bringing a network interface up or down (changing its operational state), modifying the interface's attributes, or configuring specific features like the MTU (maximum transmission unit) size. This allows system administrators to effectively manage network interfaces according to the needs of their network architecture.

For instance, setting an interface 'up' enables it to send and receive data, while setting it 'down' disables the interface temporarily. This functionality is essential for managing network connections efficiently, particularly in troubleshooting or optimizing network performance.