What does `traceroute` do? Flags & examples explained

traceroute examples, explained

$ traceroute example.com

traceroutetrace the network hops (routers) packets take to reach a host
example.coman argument passed to the command

$ traceroute -n -m 20 1.1.1.1

traceroutetrace the network hops (routers) packets take to reach a host
-nshow numeric addresses; don't resolve hop names via DNS
-mset the maximum number of hops (TTL) to probe
20value for -m
1.1.1.1an argument passed to the command

$ traceroute -T -p 443 host

traceroutetrace the network hops (routers) packets take to reach a host
-Tuse TCP SYN probes (handy through firewalls)
-puse this base destination port for probes
443value for -p
hostan argument passed to the command

traceroute flags & options

-n	show numeric addresses; don't resolve hop names via DNS
-I	use ICMP ECHO probes instead of UDP datagrams
-T	use TCP SYN probes (handy through firewalls)
-m	set the maximum number of hops (TTL) to probe
-q	send this many probe packets per hop (default 3)
-w	wait this many seconds for a reply before giving up
-p	use this base destination port for probes
-f	start probing from this first TTL (hop) instead of 1

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