ifstatus

Display interface status

$ ifstatus [interface_name]

$ ifstatus

ifstatus [-a] [-v] [-u] [-d] [-r] [-e] [interface ...]

-a, --all
    Show status for all configured interfaces

-v, --verbose
    Provide more detailed output

-u, --up
    Show only interfaces that are up

-d, --down
    Show only interfaces that are down

-r, --running
    Show only interfaces with IFF_RUNNING flag

-e, --else
    Show interfaces neither up nor down

ifstatus is a command-line utility from the ifupdown package, primarily used in Debian-based systems to query and display the status of network interfaces configured in /etc/network/interfaces.

It provides detailed information on three aspects: configuration status (whether the interface is defined and auto-started), logical status (ifup/ifdown has been executed), and physical status (link detection via carrier).

Typical output shows lines like: 'eth0 is manual auto is up', indicating config, method, flags, and status.

Ideal for scripts, monitoring, and debugging in environments using ifupdown. It does not manage interfaces (use ifup/ifdown for that) but reports current state accurately. Supports filtering to focus on up, down, running, or other states, making it efficient for targeted checks.

Verbose mode (-v) adds details like DHCP lease info or aliases.

ifstatus only queries interfaces in /etc/network/interfaces; ignores NetworkManager, systemd-networkd, or other managers.
Requires root for full physical status; works on ifupdown-managed systems only.

ifstatus eth0
eth0 is manual manual is up

ifstatus -a -v
Lists all with details like leases.

0: OK, interfaces as expected; 1: Errors or mismatch in status.

Developed for Debian's ifupdown (1999+), evolved in ifupdown2 for modern kernels. Widely used in servers until systemd adoption.

ifup(8), ifdown(8), ifquery(8), ip(8), ethtool(8)