What information do the RX lines in the ifconfig output contain?

The RX lines in the ifconfig output provide information about received packets, which is crucial for understanding the performance and functionality of network interfaces. These lines typically display statistics such as the number of packets received, the number of bytes received, and any errors that occurred while receiving those packets.

By analyzing the RX statistics, network administrators can determine how well the network interface is performing in terms of incoming traffic. A high number of received packets indicates an actively used network interface, while unusually low numbers could suggest issues with connectivity or configuration.

This information is essential for diagnosing network problems and optimizing performance, as it allows for a clear view of how data is being received by the device. The focus on received packets distinguishes this from other types of statistics that may refer to transmitted packets or device configurations.