Show NIC packet and error statistics with ip -s link
Print RX/TX counters, errors, and dropped packets per interface — the fast way to spot a failing network card.
Run `ip -s link show eth0` (double `-s -s` for a more detailed breakdown) and read the errors/dropped columns under RX and TX.
01Command
Command
$ ip -s link show eth002What it does
`ip link` alone shows only link state and MTU; adding `-s` appends the statistics block with packets, bytes, errors, dropped, and overruns for both directions. A steadily climbing `errors` count usually means a bad cable, duplex mismatch, or failing NIC, while growing `dropped` with a fast link often points to small ring buffers. Compare counters before and after a suspected event, or watch them live with `watch -n1 'ip -s link show eth0'`.
03Risk
04Undo
✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.
05Sources
- ip-link(8) — network device configurationEvidence: Documents the -s (statistics) flag which appends RX/TX packet, byte, error, and dropped counters to link output.
Last verified: 2026-09-17 · Category: Network