The MTR (My Traceroute) command is a powerful network diagnostic tool used in Linux to analyze the route of network packets and identify connectivity issues. It combines the functionality of two other widely used commands: ping and traceroute. MTR helps administrators and network engineers diagnose network latency, packet loss, and connection failures by providing real-time data on the path taken by network packets from the source to the destination.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about the MTR command in Linux, including its installation, usage, key options, and how to interpret its output. By the end of this blog, you’ll have a deep understanding of how to use MTR to troubleshoot and improve network performance.
What is the MTR Command?
MTR, short for My Traceroute, is a network diagnostic tool that provides a continuous, real-time view of the path taken by data packets as they travel through a network. Unlike the ping command, which only checks the reachability of a destination, or the traceroute command, which only shows the route once, MTR combines the functionality of both and provides continuous monitoring of network paths.
MTR sends a series of Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) packets to a target host and records the response from each hop (router) along the way. This gives valuable insights into network performance issues, such as high latency or packet loss, at specific points in the network path.
Why Use MTR Over Ping and Traceroute?
While ping and traceroute provide useful information for diagnosing network issues, they have certain limitations:
| Tool | Function | Limitation |
| Ping | Measures network latency and packet loss | Cannot identify the specific hop causing the problem |
| Traceroute | Maps the route of packets to a destination | Provides a one-time snapshot of the route without continuous monitoring |
| MTR | Combines both ping and traceroute functionalities | Provides real-time, continuous updates and detailed statistics on each hop |
MTR is a tool that helps diagnose network issues. It shows the path your internet traffic takes and how each step (or “hop”) along the way is performing. It’s a mix between ping and traceroute.
How to Install MTR on Linux
- Open your terminal.
- Use your system’s package manager (the tool that installs software) to install MTR. For example, Ubuntu uses one tool, while Fedora or CentOS uses another.
- Confirm the installation by checking if MTR is recognized by the system.
How to Use MTR
- Open a terminal.
- Type the MTR command followed by a website or IP address you want to test (like google.com).
- Press Enter and watch the results update in real-time.
- Stop the test when you’re ready (you can use keyboard shortcuts to quit).
How to Understand MTR Results
When you run MTR, you’ll see a table of information:
- Each row is a step along the internet route (called a “hop”).
- You’ll see how fast and reliable each hop is:
- If a hop has packet loss, there might be a problem.
- If the times are inconsistent, that may indicate unstable connections.
- If everything looks clean until the final hop, the issue might be with the destination server.
Common Things You Can Do With MTR
You can customize how MTR works. Here are some common things people do:
- View a one-time report instead of real-time updates.
- Limit how many packets it sends for a quicker test.
- Choose between using ICMP (like ping) or TCP for more accurate testing in some situations.
- Show network (AS) numbers to identify where issues might be at a provider level.
- Control how fast it sends test packets (like once every second).
- Skip hostname lookups to make the output faster and cleaner.
- Use a wider view to make the output easier to read.
How to Interpret and Troubleshoot MTR Results
Identifying Packet Loss
If packet loss appears consistently at a specific hop, this could indicate:
- Router congestion
- Firewall blocking
- Misconfigured network settings
High Latency at the Final Hop Only
If latency is only high at the final hop, it usually indicates that the target server is under load rather than a network issue.
High Latency at a Mid-Hop
If high latency appears in the middle of the path but not at the destination, it may suggest that the router is de-prioritizing ICMP packets or under heavy load.
Fluctuating Latency
A high StDev value suggests unstable network performance caused by:
- Network congestion
- Poor routing
- ISP issues
Advanced MTR Use Cases
1. Running MTR in Background and Saving Results
You can run MTR in the background and save the results to a file:
CopyEdit
mtr -rw google.com > mtr_results.txt
2. Diagnosing DNS Resolution Issues
If the DNS resolution is slow or failing, MTR can help you trace the DNS path:
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mtr -n 8.8.8.8
3. Testing Firewall and Port Connectivity-H3
If MTR fails at a certain hop, the firewall might be blocking the packets. Use TCP mode to bypass ICMP blocking:
CopyEdit
mtr –tcp google.com
Best Practices for Using MTR
- Run MTR during peak and non-peak hours to identify traffic-related issues.
- Combine MTR results with logs from routers, switches, and firewalls for deeper analysis.
- Use numeric IP addresses (-n) when DNS resolution is unreliable.
- Cross-check results using both ICMP and TCP modes.
Conclusion
The MTR command is a powerful diagnostic tool for network analysis and troubleshooting in Linux. Its ability to provide real-time data on network latency, packet loss, and routing issues makes it invaluable for network engineers and administrators. By understanding how to use MTR effectively, you can quickly identify and resolve network issues, improving overall network performance and reliability.
FAQs Linux MTR Command
1. What does MTR stand for?
MTR stands for My Traceroute. It’s a network diagnostic tool that combines the features of ping and traceroute.
2. How is MTR better than ping or traceroute?
Ping tells you if a host is reachable, and traceroute shows the path. MTR does both — but continuously, in real time, with more detailed stats on each hop.
3. Can MTR be used on all Linux systems?
Yes. MTR is available on most Linux distributions. You can install it using your distro’s package manager (e.g., apt, yum, dnf, or pacman).
4. How do I stop MTR once it starts running?
Press Ctrl + C to stop it and return to the command prompt.
5. What does a high packet loss on one hop mean?
It could mean congestion, ICMP deprioritization, or firewall filtering. If later hops don’t show loss, it’s likely not a real problem.
6. What’s the difference between running MTR with and without –report?
Without –report, MTR runs interactively and updates live. With –report, it runs a set number of pings and then outputs a static summary.
7. How can I use MTR if ICMP packets are blocked?
Use TCP mode by adding –tcp to the command. This sends TCP packets instead of ICMP, bypassing some firewall rules.
8. Can I make MTR run faster or slower?
Yes. Use the -iflag to set the interval between pings (in seconds).
9. What does a high StDev in MTR results mean?
It means inconsistent latency — your connection to that hop is unstable. This might be due to congestion, routing issues, or ISP problems.
10. How can I make MTR run without resolving hostnames?
Use the -n option. This speeds up the output by showing IPs only.
11. Can MTR help with DNS problems?
Yes. Try tracing a known DNS server like 8.8.8.8 to see if the issue is with DNS resolution or something else in the network path.
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