Get Network Interface Name

This is note about getting the “Predictable Network Interface Names” in Linux.

Usually the ‘name’ should start with ‘enp’ or ‘ens’ (e.g. enp9s0).

• en = Ethernet
• p9 = PCI slot 9
• s0 = Port 0

Another example: ens3

• en = Ethernet
• s = Hotplug slot
• 3 = Port 3

Some diffs:

• enoX: onboard device index number
• ensX: Usually means PCI-E hotplug slot number
• enpXsY: PCI bus number + port number
• ethX: Traditional pattern, not really predictable
• wlanX: Wireless

Summary

System	Primary Command(s) in Terminal	GUI Location (if applicable)	Notes
Ubuntu	ip link show, ip a, nmcli device status	System Settings → Network	Uses predictable names (e.g., enpXsY) or traditional (ethX).
Fedora	ip link show, ip a, nmcli device status	Settings → Network	Uses predictable names. net-tools (for ifconfig) may not be default.
Debian	ip link show, ip a	Desktop dependent (e.g., GNOME Settings → Network)	Uses predictable names.
Alpine VM	ip link show, ip a	N/A (typically headless)	Lightweight; ifconfig via apk add net-tools.
TrueNAS SCALE	ip link show, ip a	Web UI: Network → Interfaces	Linux-based.
TrueNAS CORE	ifconfig -a	Web UI: Network → Interfaces	FreeBSD-based; names like em0, igb0.
Proxmox VE	ip link show, ip a	Web UI: Node → System → Network	Debian-based; predictable names or ethX. /etc/network/interfaces.

Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora

Newer (like 20.04, 22.04, 24.04 +)

ip link show
 
# Or, use the one getting the IP addr:
ip addr

Older (not sure the specific versions)

ifconfig -a

Or check the kernel:

ls /sys/class/net

Alpine VM

# Install required pkg first
apk add iproute2
# Then use the same command
ip link show

TrueNAS

Core:

ifconfig

Scale:

ip link show
# or, check kernel
ls /sys/class/net

Proxmox

UI or after installation:

# Contains the interfaces already explicitly configured.
cat /etc/network/interfaces

Because proxmox is based on debian:

# This works
ls /sys/class/net
 
# This also works
ip link show