The ipadm command is introduced to eventually replace the ifconfig command as the primary means for configuring IP interfaces.
The ipadm command also replaces the ndd command for configuring properties of the following TCP/IP protocols:
IP
Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP)
Internet Control Messaging Protocol (ICMP)
Upper layer protocols such as TCP and the User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
As a tool for configuring interfaces, the ipadm command offers the following advantages over the ifconfig command:
Provides an object-oriented subcommand structure that is superior to the structure that is provided by the ifconfig command. This change should ultimately make network configuration procedures more easily understood.
Is capable of making network configuration changes persistent, unlike the ifconfig command.
Supports a parsable output option that can be useful for scripting.
As a tool for setting protocol properties, the ipadm command provides the following advantages over the ndd command:
Provides more extensive property information than the ndd command, for example, a property's current and default value, as well as the range of possible values.
Sets property values persistently (or temporarily). The ndd command only sets property values temporarily.
Supports a parsable output option that can be useful for scripting.
To compare the ipadm command with the ifconfig and ndd commands, see Network Administration Command Changes in Transitioning From Oracle Solaris 10 to Oracle Solaris 11.3. See also the ifconfig(5) man page.
For more information about the ipadm command, see the ipadm(1M) man page.