Windows
Linux
Networking
Windows Test-NetConnection equivalent in Linux
Checks whether a remote host and port accept connections, or whether an HTTP endpoint responds.
Windows
→
Test-NetConnection
Linux equivalents
nc -vz host port
nc -vz host port
nc -vz host port
Overview
What this command does
Checks whether a remote host and port accept connections, or whether an HTTP endpoint responds.
Migration tip: Use
nc -vz for a raw TCP port test and curl -I for HTTP or HTTPS response headers.Practical tasks
Common use cases
Test a TCP port or web endpoint
Checks whether a remote host and port accept connections, or whether an HTTP endpoint responds.
nc -vz example.com 443
Test TCP port 443
curl -I https://example.com
Test an HTTPS endpoint
timeout 5 nc -vz 192.168.1.10 22
Apply a five-second timeout
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
nc -vz example.com 443
curl -I https://example.com
timeout 5 nc -vz 192.168.1.10 22
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
nc -vz example.com 443 # test whether HTTPS is reachable
curl -I https://example.com # request HTTP response headers
timeout 5 nc -vz 192.168.1.10 22 # test SSH with a timeout
Reference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
nc -vz example.com 443 | Test TCP port 443 |
curl -I https://example.com | Test an HTTPS endpoint |
timeout 5 nc -vz 192.168.1.10 22 | Apply a five-second timeout |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
This command is the same on Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch Linux when the relevant tool is installed.
| Distribution | Package manager / base | Equivalent command | Difference to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | same command | nc -vz host port |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | same command | nc -vz host port |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | same command | nc -vz host port |
Same command on this distribution. |
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