PrinceAMD@Elive[~]$ ifconfig
bash: ifconfig: command not found
PrinceAMD@Elive[~]$
but
root@Elive[/home/PrinceAMD]# ifconfig
eth0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:1b:b9:65:68:95
inet addr:192.168.1.2 Bcast:192.168.1.255 Mask:255.255.255.0
inet6 addr: fe80::21b:b9ff:fe65:6895/64 Scope:Link
etc etc etc
well now u know u have to run it in root, do ur best
the reason for this is cause ifconfig does not just let u see the network config but u can also configure the networking using it
thats why u need to be root.