Daily Drivers

ping

Usage       : ping google.com
Example     : ping -c 4 8.8.8.8
Description : Test connectivity to a host.
Takeaway    : Use to check if a host is reachable.

ssh

Usage       : ssh user@host
Example     : ssh shubham@192.168.1.10
Description : Securely connect to remote servers.
Takeaway    : Use for remote administration.

scp

Usage       : scp file.txt user@host:/path
Example     : scp backup.tar.gz root@server:/var/backups/
Description : Securely copy files between hosts.
Takeaway    : Use for secure file transfers.

curl

Usage       : curl https://example.com
Example     : curl -O https://example.com/file.zip
Description : Transfer data from/to a server.
Takeaway    : Use for APIs, downloads, and testing endpoints.

wget

Usage       : wget https://example.com/file.zip
Example     : wget -r https://example.com/docs/
Description : Download files from the internet.
Takeaway    : Use for batch downloads.

Network Management

ip

Usage       : ip addr show
Example     : ip route add default via 192.168.1.1
Description : Manage network interfaces and routing.
Takeaway    : Modern replacement for ifconfig.

ss

Usage       : ss -tuln
Example     : Show listening TCP ports.
Description : Socket statistics and connections.
Takeaway    : Use for analyzing connections (replacement for netstat).

netstat

Usage       : netstat -tulnp
Example     : List listening ports.
Description : Show network connections and stats.
Takeaway    : Legacy tool, replaced by ss.

traceroute

Usage       : traceroute google.com
Example     : Identify hops to destination.
Description : Trace path packets take to a host.
Takeaway    : Use for routing diagnostics.

tracepath

Usage       : tracepath google.com
Example     : Show route to host.
Description : Lightweight path tracing.
Takeaway    : Use for quick route checks.

DNS & Domain Tools

nslookup

Usage       : nslookup example.com
Example     : Resolve domain to IP.
Description : Basic DNS lookups.
Takeaway    : Use for DNS troubleshooting.

dig

Usage       : dig example.com
Example     : dig +short example.com
Description : Advanced DNS queries.
Takeaway    : Use for detailed DNS analysis.

host

Usage       : host example.com
Example     : Resolve domain.
Description : Simple DNS lookup.
Takeaway    : Quick DNS checks.

whois

Usage       : whois example.com
Example     : Show domain owner details.
Description : Query domain registration info.
Takeaway    : Use for domain investigation.

Security & Monitoring

nmap

Usage       : nmap 192.168.1.0/24
Example     : Scan open ports.
Description : Network scanner.
Takeaway    : Use for auditing and security checks.

tcpdump

Usage       : tcpdump -i eth0
Example     : Capture HTTP traffic.
Description : Capture network packets.
Takeaway    : Use for packet-level troubleshooting.

iftop

Usage       : iftop -i eth0
Example     : Monitor traffic per connection.
Description : Real-time bandwidth monitoring.
Takeaway    : Use for live traffic analysis.

vnstat

Usage       : vnstat -d
Example     : Show daily bandwidth usage.
Description : Historical traffic monitor.
Takeaway    : Use for long-term traffic stats.

iptables

Usage       : iptables -L
Example     : iptables -A INPUT -s 1.2.3.4 -j DROP
Description : Manage firewall rules.
Takeaway    : Use for securing traffic.

iptables-save

Usage       : iptables-save > rules.v4
Example     : Backup firewall config.
Description : Save/restore firewall rules.
Takeaway    : Use for firewall persistence.

Interfaces & Hardware

ifconfig

Usage       : ifconfig eth0 up
Example     : Assign IP address.
Description : Configure interfaces.
Takeaway    : Legacy, replaced by ip.

ifup / ifdown

Usage       : ifup eth0 / ifdown eth0
Example     : Restart interface.
Description : Enable/disable interfaces.
Takeaway    : Use for interface management.

nmcli

Usage       : nmcli device status
Example     : nmcli dev wifi connect SSID password pass
Description : NetworkManager CLI.
Takeaway    : Use for managing connections.

hostname / hostnamectl

Usage       : hostnamectl set-hostname server1
Example     : Change hostname permanently.
Description : Show/set hostname.
Takeaway    : Use for system identity.

arp

Usage       : arp -n
Example     : Show IP-to-MAC mappings.
Description : Manage ARP cache.
Takeaway    : Use for local resolution.

arpwatch

Usage       : arpwatch -i eth0
Example     : Detect ARP spoofing.
Description : Monitor ARP traffic.
Takeaway    : Use for network security.

iwconfig

Usage       : iwconfig wlan0 essid mywifi
Example     : Set Wi-Fi SSID.
Description : Configure wireless interfaces.
Takeaway    : Use for wireless troubleshooting.

ethtool

Usage       : ethtool eth0
Example     : Show link speed.
Description : Ethernet interface settings.
Takeaway    : Use for hardware diagnostics.

File Transfer & Servers

ftp

Usage       : ftp server.com
Example     : Upload/download files.
Description : Transfer files via FTP.
Takeaway    : Legacy file transfer.

ncftp

Usage       : ncftp server.com
Example     : Manage files on FTP server.
Description : Enhanced FTP client.
Takeaway    : Use for better FTP experience.

tftp

Usage       : tftp server
Example     : Upload firmware.
Description : Transfer files via TFTP.
Takeaway    : Use for lightweight transfers.

ftpshut / ftpwho / ftpcount

Usage       : ftpshut now
Example     : Shut down FTP server.
Description : FTP server management tools.
Takeaway    : Use for FTP server monitoring.

Web Services

apachectl

Usage       : apachectl restart
Example     : Restart web server.
Description : Manage Apache server.
Takeaway    : Use for Apache control.

httpd

Usage       : httpd -k start
Example     : Start Apache service.
Description : Apache HTTP daemon.
Takeaway    : Use for running Apache.

Specialized Tools

nc (netcat)

Usage       : nc -l 1234
Example     : Simple TCP server.
Description : Versatile networking utility (chat, file transfer, port scan).
Takeaway    : Use for testing connections and lightweight transfers.

telnet

Usage       : telnet host 23
Example     : Test connectivity to a port.
Description : Legacy remote login tool.
Takeaway    : Use only for testing; insecure for real use.