“netselect” is a utility tool for measuring the speed of different network servers and choosing the fastest one. It can be used to select the fastest server for downloading packages or updates, or for any other network-related task that requires a fast and reliable connection.
“netselect” works by measuring the latency (the time it takes for a request to reach a server and receive a response) of different network servers and choosing the one with the lowest latency. This helps ensure that network-related tasks are performed quickly and efficiently, as the system will use the network server with the lowest latency.
The tool is particularly useful for systems located far away from the nearest network server, as it helps to minimize the delay in downloading packages and updates. It can also be useful for systems with limited network resources, as it can help reduce the amount of data transmitted and improve network performance.
If you encounter the below error while running the command netselect:
netselect: command not found
you may try installing the below package as per your choice of distribution:
| Distribution | Command |
|---|---|
| Debian | apt-get install netselect |
| Kali Linux | apt-get install netselect |
| Raspbian | apt-get install netselect |
netselect Command Examples
1. Choose the server with the lowest latency:
# sudo netselect host_1 host_2
2. Display nameserver resolution and statistics:
# sudo netselect -vv host_1 host_2
3. Define maximum TTL (time to live):
# sudo netselect -m 10 host_1 host_2
4. Print fastest N servers among the hosts:
# sudo netselect -s N host_1 host_2 host_3
5. List available options:
# netselect