Windows Test-NetConnection equivalent in Linux
Checks whether a remote host and port accept connections, or whether an HTTP endpoint responds.
Test-NetConnection
nc -vz host port
nc -vz host port
nc -vz host port
Overview
What this command does
On Windows, "Test-NetConnection" is used to test a TCP port or web endpoint. On Linux, the closest practical mapping shown here is "nc -vz host port". Checks whether a remote host and port accept connections, or whether an HTTP endpoint responds. This reference is grouped under Networking.
Windows → Linux context
What changes when you use this on Linux?
Equivalent task, different tool
Windows Test-NetConnection maps to nc -vz host port for this task. Treat this as a workflow mapping rather than a character-for-character syntax translation.
Portable across the compared distros
The Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch rows use the same command in this mapping. Package availability or defaults can still vary, so check the installed tool version when an option behaves differently.
For the broader concept behind this mapping, read Linux networking for Windows users.
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 timeoutReference
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
Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch all use "nc -vz host port" for this mapping. The command syntax shown here is portable across the three rows, although installed versions and system defaults can still vary.
| 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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