Linux Commands / IT Support Guides
Inspect an HTTPS endpoint from Linux with curl
A reachable TCP port does not prove an HTTPS request works. Use a bounded HTTP request to inspect protocol behavior without downloading a large response body.
Environment and inputs: Linux · Bash-compatible shell; package and service names vary by distribution
Try the diagnostic command
Use the stated shell and platform. Replace sample domains, addresses, services and paths with values from the system you are authorized to support.
curl --head --connect-timeout 5 --max-time 15 https://example.comHow to read the result
The response includes HTTP headers if the request succeeds. HEAD may be unsupported or handled differently from GET; a 405 response can reflect the method rather than an outage.
What to do next
Replace the URL with the affected endpoint, compare the status and redirects with expected behavior, and use a normal approved GET when HEAD is unsuitable.
Before you make a change
Do not add -k to hide certificate failures. Avoid copying authorization headers or session cookies into support evidence.