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Ping

For other uses, see Ping (disambiguation). ping in a Windows 2000 command window

Ping is the name of a computer network tool used on TCP/IP networks (such as the Internet). It provides a basic test of whether a particular host is operating properly and is reachable on the network from the testing host. Ping provides estimates of the round-trip time and packet loss rate between hosts. It works by sending ICMP “echo request” packets to the target host and listening for replies (ICMP “echo response” packets).

History

Mike Muuss wrote the program in December, 1983, as a tool to troubleshoot odd behavior on an IP network. He named it after the pulses of sound made by a sonar, since its operation is analogous to active sonar in submarines, in which an operator issues a pulse of energy (a network packet) at the target, which then bounces from the target and is received by the operator. (Later David L. Mills provided a backronym, "Packet Internet Grouper (Groper)", also by other people "Packed Internet Gopher", after the small rodents )

The usefulness of ping in assisting the "diagnosis" of Internet connectivity issues was impaired from late in 2003, when a number of Internet Service Providers filtered out ICMP Type 8 (echo request) messages at their network boundaries. Internet worms such as Welchia flooded the Internet with ping requests as they sought to locate new hosts to infect, causing problems to routers across the Internet.

Switches in Windows ping

The following switches are available to expand Ping's usefulness. The syntax is "ping -x <input>".

  • -t - Ping the specifed host until interrupted.
  • -a - Resolve addresses to hostnames.
  • -n <count> - Number of echo requests to send.
  • -l <size> - Send buffer size.
  • -f - Set Don't Fragment flag in packet.
  • -i <TTL> - Time To Live.
  • -v <TOS> - Type Of Service.
  • -r <count> - Record route for count hops.
  • -s <count> - Timestamp for count hops.
  • -j <host-list> - Loose source route along host-list.
  • -k <host-list> - Strict source route along host-list.
  • -w <timeout> - Timeout in milliseconds to wait for each reply.

Switches in Linux ping

The following switches are available to expand Ping's usefulness. The syntax is "ping -x <input>".

  • -a - Audible ping.
  • -A - Adaptive ping.
  • -b - Allow pinging a broadcast address.
  • -B - Do not allow ping to change source address of probes.
  • -c <count> - Stop after sending count ECHO_REQUEST packets.
  • -d - Set the SO_DEBUG option on the socket being used.
  • -F <flow label> - Allocate and set 20 bit flow label on echo request packets.
  • -f - Flood ping.
  • -i <interval> - Wait interval seconds between sending each packet.
  • -I <interface address> - Set source address to specified interface address.
  • -l <preload> - If preload is specified, ping sends that many packets not waiting for reply.
  • -L - Suppress loopback of multicast packets.
  • -n - Numeric output only.
  • -p <pattern> - You may specify up to 16 pad bytes to fill out the packet you send.
  • -Q <tos> - Set Quality of Service -related bits in ICMP datagrams.
  • -q - Quiet output.
  • -R - Record route.
  • -r - Bypass the normal routing tables and send directly to a host on an attached interface.
  • -s <packetsize> - Specifies the number of data bytes to be sent.
  • -S <sndbuf> - Set socket sndbuf.
  • -t <ttl> - Set the IP Time to Live.
  • -T <timestamp option> - Set special IP timestamp options.
  • -M <hint> - Select Path MTU Discovery strategy.
  • -U - Print full user-to-user latency (the old behaviour).
  • -v - Verbose output.
  • -V - Show version and exit.
  • -w <deadline> - Specify a timeout, in seconds, before ping exits regardless of how many packets have been sent or received.
  • -W <timeout> - Time to wait for a response, in seconds.

Output

The output of ping, and its cousins, generally consists of the packet size used, the host queried, the ICMP sequence number, the time to live, and the round-trip delay time, with all times given in milliseconds, and times below 10 milliseconds often having low accuracy.

Below is a sample output where the wikipedia.com server is "pinged":

$ ping -c 5 wikipedia.com
PING wikipedia.com (130.94.122.195): 56 data bytes
64 bytes from 130.94.122.195: icmp_seq=0 ttl=235 time=284.3 ms
64 bytes from 130.94.122.195: icmp_seq=1 ttl=235 time=292.9 ms
64 bytes from 130.94.122.195: icmp_seq=2 ttl=235 time=289.7 ms
64 bytes from 130.94.122.195: icmp_seq=3 ttl=235 time=282.4 ms
64 bytes from 130.94.122.195: icmp_seq=4 ttl=235 time=272.0 ms

The above sample is typical of ping on an operating system with a UNIX System V lineage. On a system with a BSD Unix lineage, ping traditionally only answers whether a host is ”alive” or not, but modern systems may provide a more System V–like output as shown above. The Windows ping utility returns the same information as the Unix implementations, albeit with different formatting.

Pinging yahoo.com

In the early 1990s, many people began to ping yahoo.com when their internet connection seemed slow or dead. Many Internet Service Provider support technicians and simply tech-savvy individuals recommended pinging yahoo.com, creating this meme. It caught on, because in early 1990s, Yahoo was the primary hub of useful information and the domain name was already well known, and had a high uptime due to its then-unique use of Akamai load balancing. Today, other methods of checking connection speed and quality exist, such as traceroute or pinging other large sites such as google.com or cnn.com, but due to the meme Yahoo has remained popular.


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Today, other methods of checking connection speed and quality exist, such as traceroute or pinging other large sites such as google.com or cnn.com, but due to the meme Yahoo has remained popular. Colloquial usage:. It caught on, because in early 1990s, Yahoo was the primary hub of useful information and the domain name was already well known, and had a high uptime due to its then-unique use of Akamai load balancing. Military draft-related:. Many Internet Service Provider support technicians and simply tech-savvy individuals recommended pinging yahoo.com, creating this meme. Things relating to Journalism:. In the early 1990s, many people began to ping yahoo.com when their internet connection seemed slow or dead. Things relating to food and drink:.

The Windows ping utility returns the same information as the Unix implementations, albeit with different formatting. Things relating to clothing:. On a system with a BSD Unix lineage, ping traditionally only answers whether a host is ”alive” or not, but modern systems may provide a more System V–like output as shown above. Things relating to hair:. The above sample is typical of ping on an operating system with a UNIX System V lineage. Things relating to Metalworking:. Below is a sample output where the wikipedia.com server is "pinged":. "Press" is a general term having a number of related meanings stemming from the original definition of "pressing" as the physical action of applying force:.

The output of ping, and its cousins, generally consists of the packet size used, the host queried, the ICMP sequence number, the time to live, and the round-trip delay time, with all times given in milliseconds, and times below 10 milliseconds often having low accuracy. Lobbying, a discussion in which someone asks strongly (presses) for action (such as of a lawmaker or parent);. The syntax is "ping -x <input>". Impressment, a method of involuntary recruitment by navies;. The following switches are available to expand Ping's usefulness. metonymy for journalists, newspapers or broadcast news providers referred to as the Press or and the media, meaning news reporters and news organizations.;. The syntax is "ping -x <input>". Publisher, a person or organization engaged in publishing, in which the printing press traditionally played a key role;.

The following switches are available to expand Ping's usefulness. Printing press, which originally worked by pressing a plate of type onto paper;. Internet worms such as Welchia flooded the Internet with ping requests as they sought to locate new hosts to infect, causing problems to routers across the Internet. Wine-press. The usefulness of ping in assisting the "diagnosis" of Internet connectivity issues was impaired from late in 2003, when a number of Internet Service Providers filtered out ICMP Type 8 (echo request) messages at their network boundaries. Steam press is a machine that presses clothing in the presence of steam;. Mills provided a backronym, "Packet Internet Grouper (Groper)", also by other people "Packed Internet Gopher", after the small rodents ). Ironing is the process of pressing wrinkles out of (or into) clothes;.

(Later David L. A method of straightening extremely curly hair, primarily used by African-Americans, that uses a hot comb. He named it after the pulses of sound made by a sonar, since its operation is analogous to active sonar in submarines, in which an operator issues a pulse of energy (a network packet) at the target, which then bounces from the target and is received by the operator. Flypress, a machine that cuts material by pressing with a sharp edged mold or tool;. Mike Muuss wrote the program in December, 1983, as a tool to troubleshoot odd behavior on an IP network. Machine press, a machine that shapes material by the application of pressure;. .

It works by sending ICMP “echo request” packets to the target host and listening for replies (ICMP “echo response” packets). Ping provides estimates of the round-trip time and packet loss rate between hosts. It provides a basic test of whether a particular host is operating properly and is reachable on the network from the testing host. Ping is the name of a computer network tool used on TCP/IP networks (such as the Internet).

-W <timeout> - Time to wait for a response, in seconds. -w <deadline> - Specify a timeout, in seconds, before ping exits regardless of how many packets have been sent or received. -V - Show version and exit. -v - Verbose output.

-U - Print full user-to-user latency (the old behaviour). -M <hint> - Select Path MTU Discovery strategy. -T <timestamp option> - Set special IP timestamp options. -t <ttl> - Set the IP Time to Live.

-S <sndbuf> - Set socket sndbuf. -s <packetsize> - Specifies the number of data bytes to be sent. -r - Bypass the normal routing tables and send directly to a host on an attached interface. -R - Record route.

-q - Quiet output. -Q <tos> - Set Quality of Service -related bits in ICMP datagrams. -p <pattern> - You may specify up to 16 pad bytes to fill out the packet you send. -n - Numeric output only.

-L - Suppress loopback of multicast packets. -l <preload> - If preload is specified, ping sends that many packets not waiting for reply. -I <interface address> - Set source address to specified interface address. -i <interval> - Wait interval seconds between sending each packet.

-f - Flood ping. -F <flow label> - Allocate and set 20 bit flow label on echo request packets. -d - Set the SO_DEBUG option on the socket being used. -c <count> - Stop after sending count ECHO_REQUEST packets.

-B - Do not allow ping to change source address of probes. -b - Allow pinging a broadcast address. -A - Adaptive ping. -a - Audible ping.

-w <timeout> - Timeout in milliseconds to wait for each reply. -k <host-list> - Strict source route along host-list. -j <host-list> - Loose source route along host-list. -s <count> - Timestamp for count hops.

-r <count> - Record route for count hops. -v <TOS> - Type Of Service. -i <TTL> - Time To Live. -f - Set Don't Fragment flag in packet.

-l <size> - Send buffer size. -n <count> - Number of echo requests to send. -a - Resolve addresses to hostnames. -t - Ping the specifed host until interrupted.