|  | 4.4 | Basic Networking Testing
| 4.4.7 | The show interfaces and clear counters commands
The router tracks statistics that provide information about the interface. You use the show interfaces command to display the statistics as shown in the figure. The statistics reflect router operation since the last time the counters were cleared, as shown in the top highlighted line in the graphic. This graphic shows that it was two weeks and four days earlier. The bottom set of highlights shows the critical counters. Use the clear counters command to reset the counters to 0. By starting from 0, you get a better picture of the current status of the network.
| Lab Activity
| In this lab you will use show interface and clear counters. The router keeps very detailed statistics about data traffic it has sent and received on its interfaces. This is very important in troubleshooting a network problem. The clear counters command resets the counters that are displayed when you issue the show interface command. By clearing the counters you get a clearer picture of the current status of the network.