Understanding and Using the “traceroute6” Command on Linux

The “traceroute6” command is a networking tool that allows Linux users to trace the route that packets take to reach a specific network host. This command is similar to the “traceroute” command, but it is used for IPv6 addresses instead of IPv4 addresses. In this article, we will discuss when to use the “traceroute6” command, how to use it, and provide some examples of its usage. You may also consider tracepath as a route diagnostic tool.

When to Use the “traceroute6” Command

The “traceroute6” command is most commonly used for troubleshooting network connectivity issues. It can help you determine where the problem is occurring, whether it is on your local network or on a remote network. Additionally, “traceroute6” can be used to verify the path that packets are taking to reach a specific host and identify any potential bottlenecks or routing loops.

How to Use the “traceroute6” Command

The basic syntax of the “traceroute6” command is as follows:

Where “destination” is the IPv6 address of the network host that you want to trace the route to.

Some common options that can be used with the “traceroute6” command include:

• -I: Use ICMP echo instead of UDP datagrams for the probe packets
• -m max_ttl: Specify the maximum number of hops to search for the destination
• -n: Display IP addresses instead of hostnames
• -p port: Use the specified port for the probe packets

Examples

Here are some examples of how the “traceroute6” command can be used:

1. To trace the route to the IPv6 address 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334:

2. To trace the route to the hostname example.com with a maximum number of hops of 30:

3. To trace the route to the hostname example.com and display the IP addresses instead of hostnames:

In this article, we have discussed the “traceroute6” command on Linux and its usage. The “traceroute6” command is a useful tool for troubleshooting network connectivity issues and verifying the path that packets take to reach a specific host. With the knowledge of when to use it, the options and the examples provided, you can now easily use the “traceroute6” command to diagnose and resolve network issues.

See our list of 75 Linux commands you should know about.