Network Management Tools

ifconfig(1M)

Configures the network interface devices. ifconfig is performed at boot time by the master network configuration script /etc/init.d/network.

Interface configuration includes enabling and disabling the interface and any interface options that should be set when the interface is configured. Options include support for the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP), routing metrics, netmask, broadcast addresses, and so on. The ifconfig tool used with the station's interface name displays the current interface configuration.

netstat(1)

Displays various network-related data structures that are useful for monitoring and troubleshooting a network. It has many options to show information about all or specific interfaces (-i or -I), routing tables (-r and -M), socket information (-a or -A), queue information (-iq), network memory (-m), and protocols (-p).

arp(1M)

Displays and manipulates arp table entries located in cache. arp options include -a for all entries, -d to delete an entry, -s to publish an entry and act as a server for this entry, and -f to pull information from a specified file versus /dev/kmem. arp is a good tool for troubleshooting physical address resolution on a network. arp does not display the local station's Ethernet address. To get a local station's Ethernet address, use the netstat command with the -ia options.

rpcinfo(1M)

Provides information about Remote Procedure Call (RPC) based programs on local and remote stations. This is an excellent tool for isolating network problems related to the RPC service. The information provided by rpcinfo includes a list of rpc-based applications (portmapper, NIS, rstatd, and so on), and the program number, version number, protocol (TCP/UDP), and associated port number. If you are running an RPC-based network application and cannot get a response from the remote station, use the rpcinfo tool to ensure that the remote station supports the desired application.

ping(1M)

Tests and measures general network performance. It is based on the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) and sends an ECHO_REQUEST soliciting an ECHO_RESPONSE, thereby creating a two-way stream. It provides general information about packet loss and round-trip time. ping increases network load; this factor should be considered when testing a network with ping.

spray(1M)

Sends a one-way stream of packets to a station using remote procedure calls. It reports information about the transfer rate and the number of packets received by the remote station. It provides very limited information about general network performance.

rtquery(1M)

Sends a request to a designated station for information on the station's network routing tables (routed or gated). This tool is especially useful for troubleshooting routing problems.

traceroute(1M)

Tracks packets as they journey through the network. This tool is very useful for isolating network and router faults in a large heterogeneous network. It displays the names and addresses of all the intermediary routers that support the Internet Protocol "time-to-live" (TTL) field. It also displays the amount of time the packet spends traveling to the router, on the router, and leaving the router. traceroute increases network load; this factor should be considered when testing a network with traceroute.

route(1M)

Manipulates the network routing tables. Typically, the routing tables are handled automatically by the routed or gated daemon. However, route can be used to create, maintain, and delete static routing tables, to flush routing tables, and to show metric information about routes. To have static routes incorporated at startup, modify the file /etc/gateways and /etc/config/routed.options.

rup(1C)

Displays status information, including uptime and load average, about remote stations using Sun RPC broadcasts. If no specific station is specified, it uses broadcasting and returns information about stations on the local network; broadcasting does not go through routers. This tool is useful for isolating physical problems with a station or the network.

ttcp(1)

Used to test Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) performance. This tool provides a more realistic measurement of performance than the standard tests (spray, rup, ping). It allows measurements to be taken at both the local and remote end of the transmission.

NetVisualyzer

A passive network management product. It offers a set of graphical traffic monitoring, diagnostics, planning, and performance analysis tools that provide network information and statistics for Ethernet or FDDI networks in a visually intuitive form. NetVisualyzer comprises six tools: NetLook, NetGraph, NetCPA, Analyzer, RouteQuery, and TraceRoute. NetVisualyzer allows you to view and monitor your network, collect network statistics and generate reports based on those statistics, and decode heterogeneous packets layer by layer.

SPECTRUM

A UNIX based network management tool for large-scale, multi-LAN, multi-vendor networks. It provides you with graphical, real-time views of your network. These views represent network location layouts, network topology maps, and device front panels. The information provided by these views allows you to intelligently manage, monitor, and configure your network.

IRIS NetWorker(TM)

An automatic backup and recovery service for networked stations that performs backups of client systems to a centralized server. Backup schedules are specified by the network administrator. Stations in the network may be heterogeneous.