 - Ping is a basic Internet program that allows a user to verify that a particular IP address exists and can accept requests.
Ping is used diagnostically to ensure that a host computer the user is trying to reach is actually operating. Ping works by sending an Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) Echo Request to a specified interface on the network and waiting for a reply. Ping can be used for troubleshooting to test connectivity and determine response time.
As a verb, ping means "to get the attention of" or "to check for the presence of" another party online.
The computer acronym (for Packet Internet or Inter-Network Groper) was contrived to match the submariners' term for the sound of a returned sonar pulse.
Tip: To find out the dot address (such as 205.245.172.72) for a given domain name, Windows users can go to their command prompt screen (start/run/cmd) and enter ping xxxxx.yyy (where xxxxx is the second-level domain name like "whatis" and yyy is the top-level domain name like "com").
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Getting started with ping |
| To explore how ping is used in the enterprise, here are additional resources: |
| Permitting Ping: ICMP Exceptions: Ping is a crucial security tool for any network admin. Read Mark Minasi's thoughts on ping in this excerpt from his book, "Mastering Windows Server 2003 Upgrade Edition for SP1 and R2." |
| Using ping command for troubleshooting Windows network connectivity: Using ping command for troubleshooting networks will narrow down the causes of your Windows PC connectivity problems from the command line (CL) prompt window. The introduction to this TCP/IP diagnostic utility will give you an understanding and syntax of how ping works, plus what it means when your ping request times out or reaches a network host. |
| What Ping doesn't tell you: Ping distinguishes certain states of network functionality that are the cornerstones of everyday network troubleshooting. Learn how to gain greater insight into your network. |
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Learn more about Network Administration |
| Networking FAQ: These FAQs for networking will help you learn networking basics. |
| Network user management: Use this guide to learn how to manage problem users on your network -- from un-savvy Internet novices to toxic bosses -- to keep your network secure. |
| Troubleshooting -- 'Network Know-How' Chapter 17: Troubleshooting, Chapter 17 of 'Network Know-How,' shows tools and methods that identify and solve network problems. Use this chapter as a tutorial to fixing computer connections. |
| Network management frameworks: FCAPS and ITIL: Network management is a complex topic. Thus far, two frameworks exist that can be of some use for understanding and taming network management: FCAPS and ITIL. |
| Networking podcasts: Listen to our networking podcasts and learn more about technologies you need to know to keep your network running smoothly. |
| The IT Guy: Networking comics: In our networking comic series, the IT guy and his office coworkers encounter day-to-day network challenges. |
| LAST UPDATED: |
03 Aug 2009
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