Ping is a network utility command line that is used in Windows (Command Prompt (cmd)) and OS X (Terminal). Ping in its basic form is a packet of data sent form you a requester to a host, which then a host sends a packet of data back to the requester acknowledging the transaction. During this process of ping measures two things packet-loss and latency.
Packets
A packet is the basic unit of information in network transmissions or Internet Protocol. Most common Internet Protocols are HTTP, TCP, UDP, & ICMP. Each protocol splits information into packets that contain both a segment of data to be transferred and the address where the data is to be sent. If you are receiving packet-loss when communicating with a destination then you are most likely dealing poor signal/line quality from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and you should contact them. Packet loss will increase load time on things such as websites because packets that are lost have to be resent.
Packet-Loss
Packet-loss occurs when a packet of data being send is not received or is incomplete. During this process a host will request that the requester (you) resends the packets lost during this transaction or vice versa. Packet-loss in most cases is result of poor signal/line quality and will require you to contact you Internet Service Provider (ISP). In the event of 100% packet-loss there can be several reason for this: Your Internet is down and you should contact your (ISP), Router or Modem maybe be preventing access to the Internet, and last the connection between your computer and your Router/Modem may be severed or blocked.
Latency (ms)
Latency is the time that it takes for a transaction of packets to finish (Requester to Host to Requester). This round trip is recorded in milliseconds or one one-thousandths of a second. If you are seeing high latency this could be cause by many things, such as: distance between requester & host, poor routing between requester & host, and packet loss. If it is poor routing and/or packet loss contact your ISP.
Ping Commands
Ping External IP
ping google.com
Ping external IP is the most used ping command line. In the event that you have issues here and not with any of the other command lines then the is with your (ISP) or the host you are trying to ping to. In some cases like “microsoft.com” you will time out no matter what because they block all ping attempts. “google.com” will all ways get you a result unless your Internet service is down.
Ping Default Gateway/Router
ping ###.###.###.###
To find your IP for your Gateway/Router use:
For windows and the address is listed next to “Default Gateway”
ipconfig
For OS X:
netstat -nr | grep '^default'
If a time-out occurs here and not for Ping Loopback and Ping Local Machine then the issue lays with your Gateway/Router and you should contact the manufacture of the device.
Ping Local Machine
ping ###.###.###.###
To find the IP for your local machine use:
For windows and the address listed next to “IPv4 Address”
ipconfig
For OS X use:
(Ethernet Connection)
ifconfig en0 | grep "inet"
(WiFi Connection)
ifconfig en1 | grep "inet"
If a time-out occurs here and not in Ping Loopback Address then the issue may be between your network adapter and Windows & OS X.
Ping Loopback Address
ping 127.0.0.1
This is a loopback address and it pings to your personal computer. If a time-out occurs here then there is an issue with your system. There are list of solutions ranging from a restart of your computer, checking firewall settings, and/or reinstalling TCP/IP if you are a windows user. For OS X users in most cases it is an issue with your OS X firewall being turn on and you will need to turn it off.