A ping (Packet Internet or Inter-Network Groper) is a basic Internet program that allows a user to test and verify if a particular destination IP address exists and can accept requests in computer network administration. The acronym was contrived to match the submariners' term for the sound of a returned sonar pulse.
Ping is also used diagnostically to ensure that a host computer the user is trying to reach is operating. Any operating system (OS) with networking capability, including most embedded network administration software, can use ping.
For example, to find the dot address, such as 205.245.172.72, for any given domain name, Windows users can go to the 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."
Ping is a simple way to check for a response from a host.Ping on a speed test
The term is also used to test and determine how fast a data signal travels from one place, like a computer, to another, like a website. Ping is also used to troubleshoot and test connectivity and determine response time.
How does ping work?
Ping works by sending an Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) Echo Request to a specified interface on the network and waiting for a reply. When a ping command is issued, a ping signal is sent to a specified address. When the target host receives the echo request, it responds by sending an echo reply packet.
This approach serves two specific purposes: verifying that the target host is available and determining round-trip time (RTT) or latency.
RTT is a measure of how long it took to receive a response. Measured in milliseconds (ms), the process starts when a browser sends a request to a server and is completed when a response from the server is received. RTT is a key performance metric of web applications.
By default, ping commands send multiple requests -- usually four or five -- and display the results. The echo ping results show whether a particular request received a successful response. It also includes the number of bytes received and the time it took to receive a reply or the time-to-live.
With pinging, a target host receives an echo request to which it responds by sending an echo reply packet.How to use ping in troubleshooting?
Echo requests and echo responses form the standard for troubleshooting ICMP messages. Virtually every OS with network support includes ping for troubleshooting purposes. However, the exact implementation varies slightly among manufacturers.
Ping is the cornerstone of standard network troubleshooting. For example, an IP address can be pinged by typing in 172.168.9.13. If the ping is successful, it means that it is on, and the two machines can talk to each other.
However, if the ping is successful but the response time is long, it indicates network congestion, routing or speed issues. Even pings that are unsuccessful offer valuable troubleshooting information. When it comes to network speed tests, ping is the standard.
At its most basic, ping can run with just a ping command and a destination, such as the name or address of a remote host. Since ping is used as a command-line utility, it is easy to use in a variety of scripts. An administrator can run multiple pings, record how they were used and place the output of ping commands into a text file for later review.
What is ping spoofing?
In network security, ping spoofing involves threat actors who send fake information to a server. When this happens, the false data appears, acts like the original data packets and is transmitted to the server.
The receiver gets fake data and responds to the data packet with a third-party user instead of the original sender. On the receiver side, the server may receive unrequested data from the different address.
This helps hide the actual third-party user's address. Ping spoofing is difficult to detect.
What is ping in gaming?
Ping is also useful for online gaming. It measures the time it takes for the signal to transmit from a computer or console to a server.
Measured in milliseconds, a ping rate over 150 ms generates noticeable lag that impacts gameplay. Professional gamers consider a ping rate under 50 ms to be ideal.
Ping in Discord
In Discord -- a chat and video app used mostly by gamers -- a ping is a notification, most often on a smartphone or personal computer. When someone sends a ping, it pops up on the phone screen or desktop application.
1. Which type of computing is located at the edge of a business or corporate network and that allows data from sensors to be preprocessed?
Explanation: Refer to curriculum topic: 1.1.2
Fog computing contains servers and intelligence that allow data from sensors to be preprocessed and available for immediate use and sent into the cloud for more in-depth analysis.
2. What information is conveyed by the SSID that is configured on an IoT device?
- the registration server
- the wireless network
- the home gateway
- the default gateway
Explanation: Refer to curriculum topic: 1.2.2
The SSID is used to identify the name of the wireless network which a device can join.
3. Which type of network is used to connect a company located in one area of a city to another location in a city far away?
Explanation: Refer to curriculum topic: 1.1.2
Wide-area networks (WANs) provide inter-LAN connectivity between sites.
4. True or False?
The Internet of Things will connect inanimate objects to the network with intelligent sensors.
Explanation: Refer to curriculum topic: 1.2.1
5. Which command is used to test network connectivity and provide a response to each packet received by the remote host?
Explanation: Refer to curriculum topic: 1.1.2
The ping and tracert commands are both used to test connectivity. The ping command is used to test connectivity from one network device to another network device. The tracert command is used to trace a route from the source network device to another network device.
6. What is needed in a smart home to connect sensors and smart devices to a network?
- internet connection
- Packet Tracer
- Bluetooth
- home gateway
Explanation: Refer to curriculum topic: 1.2.1
In a smart home, IoT devices connect to the network through a home gateway device.
7. Which type of wireless network is used to connect devices within a city to create a metropolitan-area network (MAN)?
Explanation: Refer to curriculum topic: 1.1.2
WiMAX uses the IEEE 802.15 standard to create a metropolitan-area network (MAN) within a city. Bluetooth and ZigBee are used to create a personal-area network (PAN) and LTE is used in a cellular network.
8. Which tool allows a user to simulate real networks?
- Packet Tracer
- artificial intelligence
- internet
- PAN
Explanation: Refer to curriculum topic: 1.1.1
Packet Tracer is a free network simulation and visualization tool.
9. What type of device could allow a refrigerator to place a replacement order for an item contained within it?
- digital network
- sensor
- generator
- smart phone
Explanation: Refer to curriculum topic: 1.1.1
Sensors can be used to detect motion, water levels, light levels, temperature, and other measurements such as the weight of the milk carton within a smart refrigerator that could place a replacement order for the milk.
10. What allows digital devices to interconnect and transmit data?
- a global positioning sensor
- a network
- a smart phone
- a sensor
Explanation: Refer to curriculum topic: 1.1.1
A network connects people and devices through wired or wireless means.
11. What is comprised of millions of smart devices and sensors connected to the internet?
- the data center
- the fog
- the cloud
- the Internet of Things
Explanation: Refer to curriculum topic: 1.2.1
The Internet of Things (IoT) consists of millions of smart devices and sensors connected to the Internet. The devices and sensors in the IoT collect and share data for use by business, cities, governments, hospitals and individuals.
12. What is a sensor?
- anything that stores data
- a device that detects or measures an event or physical property
- something that provides products and services to customers through an internet connection
- the foundation of the digitized world
Explanation: Refer to curriculum topic: 1.1.1
Sensors detect or measure and send that data to be processed and analyzed. Sensors can detect motion, water levels, light levels, temperature, and color.
13. What is the core component of Intent-Based Networking?
- the internet
- artificial intelligence
- the cloud
- fog computing
Explanation: Refer to curriculum topic: 1.2.2
Artificial intelligence will allow Intent-Based Networking to automatically configure network device across the network to fulfill network requirements based on the intent of those requirements.
14. True or False?
The Internet of Things can help organizations improve the efficiency and productivity of manufacturing processes and operations.
Explanation: Refer to curriculum topic: 1.2.1
15. True or False?
Once connected to the home gateway, smart devices can be controlled from a smartphone, tablet, or PC.
Explanation: Refer to curriculum topic: 1.2.2