Netstat -an vs. Netstat -n

Attribute	Netstat -an	Netstat -n
Displays all connections and listening ports	Yes	No
Displays numerical addresses instead of resolving hostnames	Yes	Yes
Displays the state of all sockets	Yes	No
Does not display the process ID and name	Yes	Yes

Introduction

Netstat is a command-line network utility tool that displays network connections, routing tables, interface statistics, masquerade connections, and multicast memberships. Two common options used with the Netstat command are -an and -n. These options provide different sets of information about network connections. In this article, we will compare the attributes of Netstat -an and Netstat -n to understand their differences and similarities.

Netstat -an

When you use the Netstat -an command, it displays all active connections to the server or computer in numerical form. The -a option shows all connections, including listening and non-listening sockets. The -n option displays the numerical addresses instead of resolving hostnames. This can be useful for troubleshooting network issues quickly without waiting for hostname resolution.

• Displays all active connections
• Shows both listening and non-listening sockets
• Displays numerical addresses
• Useful for troubleshooting network issues

Netstat -n

On the other hand, when you use the Netstat -n command, it displays active connections to the server or computer in numerical form. The -n option displays numerical addresses instead of resolving hostnames. This can be useful for quickly identifying the IP addresses of connected devices without the need for hostname resolution. However, it does not show listening and non-listening sockets like the -an option.

• Displays active connections in numerical form
• Shows numerical addresses instead of hostnames
• Useful for quickly identifying IP addresses
• Does not show listening and non-listening sockets

Comparison

Both Netstat -an and Netstat -n provide valuable information about network connections, but they have distinct differences. Netstat -an shows all active connections, including listening and non-listening sockets, in numerical form. This can be helpful for troubleshooting network issues and understanding the overall network activity. On the other hand, Netstat -n displays active connections in numerical form without resolving hostnames. This can be useful for quickly identifying IP addresses but does not provide information about listening and non-listening sockets.

Depending on the specific use case, one option may be more suitable than the other. If you need to see all active connections, including listening and non-listening sockets, Netstat -an is the better choice. However, if you only need to quickly identify IP addresses without hostname resolution, Netstat -n is more appropriate. Understanding the differences between these two options can help you make informed decisions when using the Netstat command for network troubleshooting.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Netstat -an and Netstat -n are two options of the Netstat command that provide valuable information about network connections. While Netstat -an shows all active connections, including listening and non-listening sockets, in numerical form, Netstat -n displays active connections in numerical form without resolving hostnames. Both options have their own strengths and can be useful for different network troubleshooting scenarios. By understanding the attributes of Netstat -an and Netstat -n, you can effectively use these commands to analyze network activity and resolve connectivity issues.