What Is a Ping?
a Ping — a basic network test that sends ICMP echo requests to a target and measures the replies — the universal first check of whether a device is reachable and how fast.
How it works
Ping sends a small ICMP echo request; if the target is reachable and responds, it sends an echo reply. Ping reports success/failure and the round-trip time in milliseconds. Consistent replies mean good connectivity; timeouts mean the target is unreachable, down, or filtering ICMP.
Why it matters
Ping is the first tool in every troubleshoot — ping the gateway, then a remote host, then the destination, and the first failure marks the broken segment. Know that firewalls often block ICMP, so a failed ping doesn't always mean "down". See the ping command guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does ping do?
It tests reachability to a target by sending ICMP echo requests and measuring the replies and round-trip time.
What does it mean if ping times out?
The target is unreachable, powered off, or filtering ICMP with a firewall — a timeout alone doesn't prove the host is down.
What is a good ping time?
Under ~30 ms feels instant; under 100 ms is fine for most uses; real-time apps degrade noticeably above ~150 ms.
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