Checking network latency and server availability is important and one way to do this is to ping an IP address. However, there are specific commands to use the function and a tool is needed to perform it.
Fortunately, most operating systems have the tool built in. For example, Windows users can use the Symbol of the systemwhile those on Linux and macOS can use the Terminal. Although they are different tools, the key steps and information provided will be the same.
In this article we will explain how the ping command works and how to execute it step by step on Windows, macOS and Linux. In addition, we will also teach you how to read the ping results.
What is the Ping command and how does it work?
Ping (Packet Inter-Network Groper) is a computer network utility, which allows users to verify and test the existence of a given IP address and whether it can service requests. Monitor network latency, device availability, and packet loss within a network.
When you run a ping test, it sends a data packet to the destination host and transmits it through the network switch and router. Typically, it sends four to five pings at a time to ensure the test is accurate.
A ping test works similar to sonar technology. Upon receiving a data packet, the device with the specified address returns a echo reply either pongconfirming that you are online.
Ping measures the duration of the response or round trip times (RTT:Round Trip Time) approximate. That is, the time that elapses between sending the request and receiving the response, measured in milliseconds.
It also includes the number of bytes received, the time it takes to receive a response, and the time of life (TTL: Time To Live), which measures the time that a data packet must exist within a network, before being discarded by the router.
The ping test results provide useful information for testing or troubleshooting your network. For example, if the test is successful, but it takes a long time to receive a response, it may indicate network congestion or speed and routing issues.
How to ping an IP address or a domain name?
Generally, IP addresses can be pinged as well as domain names. However, the process will depend on your operating system, as different tools may differ.
In this section we will use Google’s public IP address 8.8.8.8 for the ping test.
Run Ping with Command Prompt (Windows)
Here we explain how to execute the ping command in Windows 10:
- Open the search bar or simultaneously press the key Windows + R and writes “cmd”.
- click on To accept to access the window symbol of the system.
- Run the command by typing “ping” along with the IP address or domain name you want to check. In this example, we are entering ping 8.8.8.8.
- Press Enter. The request will be sent four times.
- The ping statistics will be presented at the end of the fourth response.
- To stop the execution of the ping command, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + C.
Run Ping with Terminal (Linux and macOS)
If you’re using Ubuntu or a similar Linux distribution, follow these steps to run the ping command on the Terminal:
- click on show apps at the bottom left of your screen.
- Write “terminal” in the search bar.
- Write “ping” and press Enter.
- Press Ctrl + C to close the connection and the statistics will appear.
Here’s how to do it on macOS:
- Click on the icon launch pad in the Dock.
- Write “terminal” in the search field.
- enter “ping” and press Enter to get started.
- The ping statistics will appear once the connection is closed by pressing the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + C.
When executing the ping command, there are some tips that you can follow:
- To start a continuous ping command, add -t after the IP address. For example:
ping 8.8.8.8 -t
- To specify the number of packages or requests you want to make, add -c before or after the IP address. For example:
ping -c 7 yourdomain.com
recommended reading
Not sure how to specify the number of packages? Take a look at our guide on how to use the .
Reading the ping results
After executing the ping command, the next line will contain the name of the server and the number of bytes sent to it.
The following lines indicate the echo responses from the server. Typically, each consists of three parts: bytes, weather Y TTL. In most cases, the ping request is sent four times. The ping statistics are shown below.
The line of packages shows the number of packets sent, received and lost. Any lost packet indicates a network connection problem.
The last line of the ping statistics presents the approximate RTT which describes the connection speed in milliseconds. The higher the average time, the slower the connection to the server.
This is what a successful ping test looks like in Command Prompt:
However, if the ping results show a request timeout, it means that your web page’s IP address or domain name did not respond and the pong response was not received.
This can be caused by various issues, such as the domain name or host not existing, the local network adapter not working, the DNS still propagating, or the server experiencing downtime or a null route.
In some cases, if an IP address can be pinged from one device but cannot be pinged from another, it may indicate that the IP is blocked.
This is what a failed ping test looks like:
conclusion
Ping helps to gather information and discover any connectivity issues early. When an IP address or domain name is pinged, a data packet is sent to the destination host and transmitted over the network.
This is done to verify and prove the existence of your website’s IP address or domain name and whether it can handle requests. If the ping is successful, the destination host will respond with echo replies. However, an error message like «Request timed out» if you can’t handle them.
Although most operating systems have this feature, each uses a different command line interface to access it. No matter the tool, the results will be the same.
We hope this article has helped you learn how to use the ping command and understand its results. If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave them in the comment section below.
Diego is a social communicator, a digital advertising specialist who is constantly working on improving his knowledge of digital marketing, focusing on content and SEO. Languages, series, books and internet courses are his main hobbies, in addition to sports.
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