Triplett RWC1000K/RWC1000NP - Manual (Page 58)

Because TCP/IP is so common, Windows and many UNIX systems
have built-in tools to help you debug TCP/IP network problems.
These debugging programs are executed at the command line
prompt of the operating system (see the end of this section for more
information about the command line).
ping
The most popular TCP/IP debugging program is called “ping” (after
the name given to the operation of submarine sonar devices). Like
the sonar, ping sends out a packet to an address that you specify
and waits for a reply. Although very simple to use, ping is extremely
powerful because it works at the IP level and often will respond even
when the higher level TCP layer cannot. As mentioned above, ping-
ing capability is included with most systems and there are also many
shareware implementations.
USE: Determine if a workstation is connected to the network. Rout-
ers, servers and workstations are identifi ed by an "ip" address and
possibly a "name". The ip address is a numeric string whose format
is referred to as "dotted decimal" (example: 192.168.0.0.). The
"name" can be any name given to a computer when it is installed or
an internet URL. The ability to use a name is provided by a server's
DNS (Domain Name Service). The DNS has a lookup table that
cross references ip addresses to names. If a DNS service is not
available you will need to use the ip address.
EXAMPLE OF USE: #1: I have problems connecting to the Byte
Brothers website from a workstation. I know the DNS name of the
website is “www.bytebrothers.com”. At the workstation’s Command
Prompt, enter “ping www.bytebrothers.com”. If connected, I will
receive back bytebrother.com's IP address (e.g. 207.115.64.64)
and the roundtrip time of my ping packet. #2) I am having a problem
with one of my workstations communicating to a server. I know the
server's ip address is 192.168.1.100. I enter “ping 192.168.1.100”
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