The main reasons why SS replaces Netstat include better performance, support for modern network functions, and stronger filtering capabilities. Ss directly obtains information from the kernel, reduces resource usage and parsing faster; it supports functions that cannot be processed by netstat such as new TCP features, and allows fine filtering through parameters such as src and dst. In addition, SS can display more detailed connection status (such as CLOSE-WAIT), timer and memory usage, which helps to find out in-depth problems. Despite the wider compatibility of netstat, SS has become the preferred tool for modern Linux systems. 1.SSS has stronger performance and less resource usage; 2.SSS supports modern network features; 3.SSS provides more flexible filtering options; 4.SSS displays more detailed information; 5.netstat is still suitable for old systems.

If you're trying to figure out what's going on with network connections on a Linux system, you've probably heard of both netstat and ss . They serve similar purposes, but there are some key differences that make one more suitable than the other depending on your needs.

Why ss is replacing netstat

You might have noticed that on newer Linux distributions, netstat isn't installed by default anymore. That's because it's considered deprecated in favor of ss (short for "socket statistics"). The main reason for this shift is performance — ss is faster and uses fewer system resources. It can access more detailed information directly from the kernel without having to parse through /proc , which makes it snapper especially on busy servers.

Another big reason is that ss supports modern networking features that netstat doesn't handle well or at all, like dealing with stateful sockets in newer TCP implementations.

How the command syntax differences

One of the first things you'll notice when switching from netstat to ss is the difference in command structure. netstat uses flags like -tuln to show TCP, UDP, listening ports, and numeric addresses. For example:

• netstat -tuln shows listening TCP and UDP ports in numeric format.

In ss , the equivalent is almost identical:

• ss -tuln does exactly the same thing.

However, ss offers more flexibility with filters. For instance, you can do something like:

• ss -t src 192.168.1.10 to show only TCP connections coming from a specific IP.
• ss dst :22 to list all connections going to port 22.

This filtering capability gives ss an edge over netstat , which requires additional tools like grep to achieve similar results.

What each tool shows and how it helps troubleshooting

Both commands give insight into socket connections, but ss digs deeper. It can show more granular socket states like CLOSE-WAIT , TIME-WAIT , and even allows inspecting internal kernel structures like TCP timesers.

For example:

• If you're tracking down connection issues, ss -o will show timer states, which can help identify stalled or slow connections.
• With ss -m , you can see memory usage per socket — useful for debugging high-load network problems.

On the flip side, netstat still has broader compatibility. If you're working on older systems or embedded devices, you might not have ss available. In those cases, netstat remains a solid fallback.

So if you're starting fresh or updating your toolset, go with ss . It's faster, more flexible, and built for modern networking. But don't be surprised if you still run into netstat every now and then — old habits (and systems) die slowly.

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