net - macOS

net – Network Configuration and Management

Overview

macOS’s net command offers a versatile suite of tools for configuring, managing, and troubleshooting network settings. It provides a text-based interface for accessing network information, modifying system preferences, and performing various network-related tasks.

Syntax

net [options] command [arguments]

Options/Flags

  • -h, --help: Display help information.
  • -s, --status: Display detailed network status.
  • -f, --format: Specify output format (text, json, or xml).
  • -w, --wait: Delay execution until network is available.
  • -i, --interface: Specify a network interface.

Commands

Network Configuration

  • network: Manage network settings (e.g., join/leave WiFi networks).
  • ip: Configure the IP layer (e.g., add/remove IP addresses).
  • route: Manage routing tables (e.g., add/delete routes).
  • service: Enable/disable network services (e.g., DNS, DHCP).

Network Troubleshooting

  • ping: Test network connectivity using ICMP packets.
  • traceroute: Trace the path to a specified host.
  • dns: Lookup domain name server information.
  • ipsec: Examine or modify IPsec settings.

Network Statistics

  • statistics: Display network statistics for a specified interface.
  • port: Display active network ports.

Examples

  • Display network status: net status
  • Configure Wi-Fi: net network join WiFi_Name password
  • Add an IP address: net ip add 192.168.1.10/24
  • Ping a host: net ping www.example.com
  • Trace the path to a host: net traceroute 8.8.8.8

Common Issues

  • Unable to connect to a network: Check network cable connections, Wi-Fi settings, and router status.
  • IP address conflicts: Use net ip address to identify any duplicate IP addresses.
  • DNS issues: Ensure that DNS settings are correctly configured and that DNS servers are reachable.

Integration

  • Combine with ifconfig: Monitor network interface configurations (e.g., net statistics | ifconfig).
  • Use in scripts: Automate network tasks by integrating net into scripts (e.g., ping monitoring).

Related Commands

  • ifconfig: Display network interface information.
  • arp: Manage the Address Resolution Protocol cache.
  • route: Configure and display routing tables.
  • nslookup: Perform DNS lookups.