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How To Test a Network Connectivity by Using CMD Ping

6 minutes read
24 Oct 2022

A ping is a tool or utility used in network administration that checks connectivity on an IP network. Additionally, it calculates the delay or latency between two computers. In this article we will take a look at how to use ping for network monitoring using cmd.

Stefen Shaefer
IT Analyst, Business Consultant
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How To Test a Network Connectivity by Using CMD Ping

The latency result is the same as the output of the cmd ping test. Small latency, or low ping, is crucial for more than just online gaming. Significant latency lowers the effectiveness of VoIP (Voice over IP) and video conversations (e.g. Skype). 

Large pings have the potential to significantly impact how quickly websites and other internet services respond.

Cmd Ping Test Meme
Cmd Ping Test Meme

The Evolution Of What Is Ping Exactly

Ping derives from a term used in sonar technology, which sends out sound pulses and then watches for the return of the echo.

A Windows, Mac, or Linux computer can be used to deliver ping commands. It’s a useful tool that has been around since the beginning of the 1980s.

Working Of Ping

On a computer network, the majority of operating systems come with a ping utility that functions similarly. You issue the ping command while also providing an IP address or URL. 

Your computer sends the device a several packets of data before waiting for a response. The ping tool notifies you if there was no response or displays the time it takes each packet to complete the round trip when it receives the response.

Using CMD Ping To Test Network Connectivity 👨‍💻

Launch the Terminal or Command Prompt. You can use the command Ping on any operating system’s command line interface. On all systems, the Ping command behaves essentially the same.

  1. Launch the Command Prompt in Windows. In the Search field, click the Start button and type “cmd.” Users of Windows 8 can type “cmd” from the Start screen. To open the Command Prompt, press Enter.
  1. Launch the Terminal if you’re using Mac OS X. The Utility folder can be found in your Applications folder. Choose Terminal.
  1. Open a Telnet/Terminal window if you’re using Linux. The Accessories folder in your Applications directory is where you’ll most frequently find it.

Here, we’ll use the Windows Command Prompt. Press Windows + R in Windows. Type “cmd” into the search box in the Run window, then press Enter.

How to start Command Promt

Enter “ping” followed by the URL or IP address you want to ping at the prompt. The response we receive when pinging ww.google.com can be seen below.

Cmd Test Ping URL

On the first line of the response, it lists the URL you are pinging, the IP address connected to it, and the size of the packets being transmitted. 

The responses from each individual packet are displayed throughout the following four lines, together with the time (in milliseconds) required for the answer and the packet’s time-to-live (TTL), or the length of time required before the packet is deleted.

You may find a summary at the bottom that displays the total number of packets sent and received as well as the minimum, maximum, and average response times.

If pinging the router on our local network using its IP address. You’ll also get a normal response from it.

Additionally, the ping tool notifies you when the machines you are pinging do not respond.

Ping Command Availability

Operating systems Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP all support the ping command from the Command Prompt. Older Windows versions like Windows 98 and 95 also support it.

Additionally, the Advanced Startup Options and System Recovery Options repair/recovery menus in Command Prompt contain this command. 

Common Addresses To Ping

You can just check your internet connectivity when running your cmd ping test. To do this, you must confirm that the IP address you are pinging is operational.

Even though every address might occasionally experience an outage, here are some reliable options for you to ping:

Open DNS addresses 208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220, 1.0.0.1 (Cloudflare), 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (Google DNS)

When you ping these IP addresses to check for connectivity, if you don’t get a response, there is probably an issue on your end.

Understanding Ping Results

The number of nodes on the path between your machine and the server has a significant impact on the cmd ping test result. They are known as routers, and their job is to send packets from the source IP address to the target IP address. The router must process each packet, and this process takes time. 

Additionally, the delay caused by the physical link between two routers raises the ping. As a result, when lengthy fiber cables are employed for intercontinental connections, there is a noticeable increase in latency.

Cmd Ping Test Connectivity Errors

  1. The Reachable Host at Destination Request has expired.
  2. Ping Request Failed to Locate Host.
  3. Request timed out

Applications Of Cmd Test Ping

  1. Examining network accessibility.
  1. Determining how many devices are situated between the device and the server.
  1. Being aware of the IP address of a specific URL.
  1. Identifying the source of the issue. Ping your router if you are having trouble accessing a website. If the cmd ping test is successful, the issue is with the server and is beyond your control.
  1. Relaying additional data, such as average round-trip distance and data loss.
Cmd Test Ping Picture

To Wrape It Up

Pinging enables you to check whether your computer can connect to other hardware on the local network, such as a router. Your device’s ability to connect to the internet and other devices is also shown by Ping. If your computer can connect, knowing how long it takes to connect, will help you determine whether a network issue is occurring locally or if it originates from another location. 

The fact that ping functions are mainly the same regardless of the operating system you use, is one of its strongest features. The command terminal you use and the command itself are the only things that differ.

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Read More
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Read More
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Read More
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