The ping utility is commonly used to check for network errors. Ping is a good diagnostic tool to ensure that a host computer the user is trying to reach is actually operating. When you ping a device you send that device a short message, which it then sends back. A ping response shows results for each returned packet on four separate lines showing the round-trip time in milliseconds. It also gives a summary of the packets lost, along with the fastest, slowest and average times. If the target doesn’t respond, each line shows “Request Timed Out”. If the computer has the wrong TCP/IP setting, in Windows 7 and Windows 8, the message reads, “PING: Transmit Failed. General Failure.” In Vista, it reads, “PING: transmit failed, error code 1231.” It indicates that you have the wrong TCP/IP setting. In earlier Windows versions, it reads, “Destination Host Unreachable”.
This is where the word “ping” comes from. It was named after the sound sonar generates when it detects objects.
How to Send a Ping Command:
Open CMD or Powershell: right click on the Start Menu Button > Windows PowerShell (Admin)
*If the Admin account has a password set on it, then you will need to enter the password for the account set as Administrator*.
In the Command Prompt, the general format you’ll enter is: “ping hostname” or “ping IP address”.
Example:
ping www.google.com
OR
216.58.208.68
As you see in the image, you’ll have results stating, Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
This would show if any of the packets have failed and if your TCP/IP settings need to be updated or if the site is currently not communicating.
This article covers the ping command in more detail: