How to Check the IP Address of a Linux Server

Knowing the IP address is crucial for communication, troubleshooting, and secure access when managing a Linux server. Whether you're hosting a website, managing a cloud infrastructure, or configuring network settings, the server's IP address is your primary identifier on the internet or local network. With the increasing reliance on cloud hosting and data centers, understanding how to check your Linux server's IP address has become essential for IT professionals and business owners.

In fact, according to a 2023 survey by Statista, 67% of businesses use cloud hosting services for their critical operations. As businesses migrate to cloud-based solutions, understanding server management and configuration has never been more important. 

This article will guide you through checking your IP address on a Linux server, ensuring you can effectively manage your server's network settings.

How to Check the IP Address of a Linux Server

Several methods are available to check the IP address on a Linux server. Your approach may depend on whether you access your server directly or remotely. Below, we will discuss the most commonly used methods.

Method 1: Using the IP Command

One of the most straightforward and widely used commands to find the IP address of a Linux server is the ip command. It displays various network configurations, including your IP address.

Open the terminal on your Linux server.

Run the following command:
css

ip a

You will see output similar to the following:
sql

eth0: mtu 1500 qdisc pfifo_fast state UP group default qlen 1000

    inet 192.168.1.100/24 brd 192.168.1.255 scope global eth0

       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever

Here, inet 192.168.1.100/24 shows the IP address of the server. The address 192.168.1.100 is the server's local IP address.

Note: This IP address is often assigned dynamically if you are working with a cloud server or a hosting environment. Cloud hosting providers like Cyfuture Cloud offer tools to easily manage and retrieve such information from their management consoles.

Method 2: Using the ifconfig Command (Older Linux Versions)

The ifconfig command is an older network configuration tool but still widely used on some Linux systems. It is considered deprecated in many modern distributions but may still be found on legacy systems.

Open the terminal.

Run the following command:

ifconfig

The output will display several network interfaces, including eth0 or ens33. Look for the inet entry:
arduino

eth0     
Link encap:Ethernet  HWaddr 00:0c:29:8e:ad:1f  

inet 192.168.1.100  netmask 255.255.255.0  broadcast 192.168.1.255

The inet field shows the server's IP address (192.168.1.100 in this case).
While ifconfig is commonly used, it’s important to note that newer Linux distributions have transitioned to using the ip command.

Method 3: Checking Public IP Address

In case you need to check the public IP address of your Linux server (the one visible on the internet), you can use online services or command-line tools. This is especially important for cloud-hosted servers or dedicated servers with static IP addresses.

Use the curl command to get the public IP address:
vbnet

curl ifconfig.me

Alternatively, you can use the following:

curl icanhazip.com

The output will be the public IP address of your server, such as:

203.0.113.25

This method works for servers hosted in a data center or cloud environments, such as Cyfuture Cloud, where servers may have static or dynamic public IP addresses.

Method 4: Using the hostname -I Command

The hostname -I command is another simple way to find the IP address of your Linux server. This command outputs all the IP addresses assigned to the server.

Open the terminal.

Run the following command:
css

hostname -I

The output will display the server's IP address, like so:

192.168.1.100

This is particularly useful for systems with multiple network interfaces or IP addresses.

Conclusion

Knowing how to check the IP address of your Linux server is essential for effective server management, whether you're working with on-premise infrastructure, data center servers, or cloud hosting services. With the abovementioned methods, you can easily retrieve your server’s IP address using commands like ip, ifconfig, or hostname -I. In addition, checking your public IP address ensures you can access your server from external networks or configure firewall and DNS settings.

For businesses looking to scale their operations with reliable and secure hosting solutions, Cyfuture Cloud offers robust cloud hosting services with top-tier security, high-performance infrastructure, and 24/7 support. Whether hosting websites, and applications, or managing critical business data, Cyfuture Cloud provides the tools and expertise you need to succeed in a competitive digital landscape. Explore Cyfuture Cloud's hosting options today and take control of your server environment with ease.