fping install from source
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What is fping
fping is a network diagnostic tool used for ping-like operations but with enhanced features and functionality. Unlike the traditional ping, fping allows you to ping multiple hosts in parallel, providing a more efficient way to check the status of multiple connections. It’s widely used in network troubleshooting and monitoring tasks.
Installing fping
Step 1: Cloning the Repository
The journey to installing fping from the source begins with cloning its repository from GitHub. You can do this using the git clone command:
git clone https://github.com/schweikert/fping.git
Step 2: Navigating to the Cloned Directory
Once the repository is cloned, navigate to the fping directory:
cd fping/
Step 3: Preparing for Configuration
Before configuring, it’s a good practice to check the existing files in the directory using the ls command. This step helps in verifying if all necessary files are present:
ls
Step 4: Running autoreconf
autoreconf is used to generate configuration scripts. Run the following command:
autoreconf -i
Step 5: Configuring the Makefile
Now, it’s time to configure the Makefile. If you want to install fping in a specific directory, you can specify the prefix. Here, we install it in the /usr directory:
./configure --prefix=/usr
Step 6: The Make Process
The make command is used to compile the source code:
make
Step 7: Installing fping
After successful compilation, the next step is to install fping:
make install
Alternatively, you can combine the make and make install commands:
make; make install .
Step 8: Verifying the Installation
To verify if fping is installed correctly, use the which command:
which fping
Why Install from Source
Installing fping from source provides several benefits:
- Latest Version: You get the latest version, which might not be available in the package repositories.
- Customization: You have the flexibility to customize the installation, like specifying the installation directory.
- Learning Experience: It provides a deeper understanding of how Linux tools are installed and compiled.
- Security Benefits: Source code auditing, knowing what you’re running, even if its to verify who are its supporters, how many forks or stars
Additional Configuration Steps (If Needed)
Setting Ping Group Range
In some systems, you might need to set the ping group range for proper functionality. This is done using:
sudo sysctl -w net.ipv4.ping_group_range="1 1000"
Then, verify the range:
cat /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ping_group_range
Checking Group ID
You can check your group ID using:
id -g
Running fping Help
To explore fping options and usage, you can use:
fping --help
Installing fping from source might seem like a series of intricate steps, but it offers control and insight into the installation process. Whether you’re a network administrator or a curious Linux user, mastering these steps can enhance your understanding of how network tools operate at a fundamental level.
Running fping on a network range
Use CIDR.xyz to understand what network range you want to explore.
fping --ipv4 --size=32 --interval=1 --timeout=100 --quiet --generate 10.10.0.0/16 -c 1
Alternatively, running a nmap ping scan should also do the same work.
nmap -sn 10.10.0.0/16