How to test pings?

What is ping and why should it be checked?

Ping (ping) is a special utility thatIt is used to check the health of the network. It sends a request (packet of information) to the server and records the time it takes the request to reach the server and return back. In everyday life this time is also called ping. Although this name is incorrect, it has already taken root in the environment of PC users.

Why are you asked to check the ping for problems withnetwork? If the packet return time is too long or if it is not returned at all, the problem is either with the server or on the network portion between the server and your computer. If you ping a deliberately working server (for example, your ISP), then the response time helps to see if there are problems on your network site. If the time is within the norm - then the problem may not be with the network, but, for example, with your browser.

In addition, ping testing can be usefullovers of online games. For them, the quality of communication with the server is very important, because the success of the game often depends on it. So before starting to play on any server, they decide first to check the ping and see how the responses come from the server: what server time is the response, whether all the packets are returning or the part is "lost" on the road.

How can I test pings?

You can check the ping by using the standard tools of the Windows operating system.

To do this, you need to start the Windows console (command line) and call the ping command from it. You can start the command line in different ways.

1 way

1. 
   click the Start button


2. 
   select All Programs in the menu that appears


3. 
   select item Standard


4. 
   From the list of standard programs, select Command line

2 way

1. 
   click the Start button


2. 
   select the menu item Run


3. 
   in the opened window in the line Open write cmd


4. 
   click the OK button


5. 
   the command line will open

Whichever way you choose, you end up withthe command line should open. Now, at the command prompt, enter the ping command and, through the space bar, enter the server address (you can enter the IP address or the site URL).

The address can be entered without http: // and / or www. For example, this:

ping google.com

How to interpret the results of a ping request?

After entering the address, press the Enter key and watch the results. When pinging the server, the results indicate:

• 
  the size of the packet sent in bytes (by default - 32 bytes)


• 
  response time in milliseconds


• 
  TTL (packet lifetime) - the time that the computer will wait for a response from the server

By default, fourthe total number of packets sent, the number of packets received, the number of lost packets, the percentage of losses, the maximum, minimum, and average packet-reception time.

If not all packets arrive or if the spread betweenthe maximum and minimum reception-transmission time is too long, this can be a sign of problems with the network. Sometimes problems with passing packets (especially large ones) cause the included antivirus or firewall, so it's better to disable it before checking ping.

Can I check the ping more accurately?

To verify the ping more accurately, you can independently set the parameters of ping (the number of packets sent, the packet size, the lifetime of the package, etc.). Special keys are used for this:

• 
  -n Specifies the number of packets to be sent, for example ping google.com -n 10 means that 10 packets will be sent to the server; Between n and the number of packets, you need to put a space


• 
  -t sets an infinite number of sent packets: they will be sent until you stop pinging manually


• 
  -l Specifies the size of the package, for example ping google.com -l 64 means that 64 bytes packets will be sent to the server; Between l and the size of the packet, you need to put a space

You can use multiple keys at the same time. If you want to abort the ping, press the key combination Ctrl + C.

You can also check the ping using services to determine the speed of the Internet: many of them check not only the speed, but also ping.