ifconfig doesn't work

ccerino · 05-23-2005, 10:49 AM

When I am logged in as a user or as root, I am told that ifconfig isn't a valid command, so I figured that for some reason it wasnt put in my /usr/bin command list so i cd to the sbin dir where it is and tried it from there, still no luck. I have never had this problem before. What is up with this command?

Boby · 05-23-2005, 11:03 AM

Gain root access with

Code:

su -

.
Then try again ifconfig.

Boby

ccerino · 05-23-2005, 12:10 PM

already tried that remember. Pleas read my original post.

win32sux · 05-23-2005, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ccerino
already tried that remember. Pleas read my original post.

your original post doesn't say you tried the "-" option...

ccerino · 05-23-2005, 03:03 PM

Alright here is an update.

while i am longed in as my self i still have the problem. if I su in i still have the problem. if i su - in idont have the problem, and if i directly log in as root i dont have the problem.

snarkout · 05-23-2005, 03:10 PM

Are you just running "ifconfig" to see your interfaces, or are you assigning an IP or something? Meaning, is the issue possibly syntax? What do you get if you do a "which ifconfig" or a "type ifconfig"? In /sbin did you execute "ifconfig" or "./ifconfig"?

edit: I missed your last post - your problem is your "environment" and specifically your path. Either log in as root, or use "su -" to remedy the issue (as you've seen). This is not a bug, it's a feature.

terrapin24h · 05-23-2005, 03:22 PM

ccerino--
reason is that the "su" command grants you root privs, but does NOT load the root user environment(more pointedly, you don't get root's "PATH" variable) doing the "su -" gets you root's path and IIRC home dir too. The same thing as logging in as root. It's not a problem, it's actually by design. By default only root can do ifconfig, and the system will only find it when root's enviro is loaded

Boby · 05-24-2005, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Either log in as root...

I wouldn't recommend logging in as root in X!

Boby

dareino · 05-24-2005, 08:09 PM

ccerino--
reason is that the "su" command grants you root privs, but does NOT load the root user environment(more pointedly, you don't get root's "PATH" variable) doing the "su -" gets you root's path and IIRC home dir too. The same thing as logging in as root. It's not a problem, it's actually by design. By default only root can do ifconfig, and the system will only find it when root's enviro is loaded

dang...I just learned something today!!!!! Im such a newb

thxs
dareino

brian2009 · 08-04-2009, 10:53 PM

Just want to say thank you from a newbie on everyone's insight