The Ping command allows you to test the connection speed between you and another network node, such as a server. You can use it to tell the strength, distance, and availability of a connection, either in your own network or over the internet.
Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux
• If using Windows, open the Command Prompt. Click the Start button and enter cmd into the Search field.
Windows 8 users can type “cmd” whilst on the Start screen. Press Enter to launch the Command Prompt.
• If using Mac OS X, open the Terminal. Open your Applications folder, and then open the Utilities folder.
Select Terminal.
• If using Linux, Open a Telnet/Terminal window. It is most often found in the Accessories folder in your
Applications directory.
• In Ubuntu, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T to open the terminal.
2. Enter the ping command.
Type a Hostname or ping an IP address.
For example, to ping HOSTAFRICA's main web server, type: ping hostafrica.co.za
You can also just use an IP address: ping 102.325.131.21
An IP address is a computer’s location on a network, either locally or on the internet.
3. Press Enter to see your ping output.
The results will be displayed beneath the current command line.
See the lower section for how to read the output.
