User Tools

Site Tools


ping_test

This is an old revision of the document!


Performing a Ping Test

A 'ping' is a basic network test that will send messages across a network to a computer and measure the time lapsed from sending to receiving the messages. It will recorder any packet loss and average trip times.

To start the ping test, open the command prompt found using the Windows start button then select Run. Enter the word 'cmd' into the Run box as shown in Figure 1.


To perform the 'ping' test the word ping followed by the name of the server needs to be entered. For example, if the server is named 'server' then 'ping server -t -l 2000' will send a continuous test messages to the server with a packet size of 2000. Let the test run for several minutes (or hours if you have time). You will have to hit CTRL and C on the keyboard to stop the test.

In a successful test:

  • The same number of packets received as sent.
  • there should be 0% or minimal packet loss. If there is sizable packet loss based on the time of the test then there could be a networking issues that needs further diagnosis.
  • the ping latency should also not have large differences in minimum and maximum times.
  • The ping test also measures time. Pinging a computer on the local network should show a response time less than 1 millisecond.
  • In the screen shot below this server is located on a fast internet connection and has an average ping time of 19 ms.

Increasing the buffer size of the ping test in the -l parameter will increase the load of the test. Using a continuous ping test with a larger packet size could help identify a network issue. Such as ping -t -l 20000

Possible causes of packet loss

  1. Port on a switch (Try a different port)
  2. Unstable Switch or Power Supplies (Replace switch)
  3. Routing tables (Incorrectly configured routers or switches)
  4. Network cables (Mice can chew on cables causing intermittent packet loss)
  5. Incorrect 10/100/1000 auto detection of network speed on the server, workstation or switch
  6. Failing network card that broadcasts and saturates the network with a packet storm for a duration of time
ping_test.1578423430.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/01/07 10:57 (4 years ago) by kevin