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Using the ping utility to test communications – Extron Electronics VN-Matrix 200 Series User Manual

Page 100

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Subnet Mask

The subnet mask is another 32-bit binary number that is used to “mask” certain bits of
the IP address. This provides a method of extending the number of network options for a
given IP address. It works by allowing part of the host identifier to be used as a “subnet
identifier”.
It is important that you set the correct value for the subnet mask. The basic values depend
on the class of IP address being used:

Class Name

Subnet Mask

Class A

255.0.0.0

Class B

255.255.0.0

Class C

255.255.255.0

Using the Ping Utility to Test Communications

You can test for communications between a Windows computer and another device on
the same network by using the Windows Ping utility.

1.

From the Windows desktop of the computer, click on the

Start

button, and select

Run.

The

Run

dialog box will appear.

2.

In the

Open

box, type in the following command:

ping xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx –t

NOTE: Where xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is the IP address of the VNC 200 device that you

want to test.

3.

Click on the

OK

button or press the <

Enter>

key.

A text window will appear showing a series of response messages; these are explained
below.

4.

To stop the ping utility, press > on the keyboard.

HINT: The Ping utility can also be run from the command line of the serial

interface (see “

Serial Port Login Procedure

”).

Response Messages

When you run the Ping utility, it will display a series of response messages, which you can
use to determine the state of the communications link. For example, if you have “pinged”
a device with the address 208.132.180.48, you should get a message similar to the
following:

Reply from 208.132.180.48: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=32

This is the correct response which indicates that the device at the specified address
is communicating correctly. Note that the response time value may vary according to
network traffic.
If you get the message...

Request timed out.

...this indicates that there has been no response from the specified address. Either the
processor is not receiving data from the computer or not sending data back. Check that
the device is powered up and set to the same address that you “pinged”. Also, check
that you are using the correct type of connecting cables (for example, straight through or
crossover) and that they are not damaged or faulty.

VN-Matrix 200 Series • IP Addressing

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