Using Ping and Traceroute

Ask "can I reach this host?"

ping sends ICMP echo requests and reports whether replies return and how long they take. It is a quick liveness check, not a full application test.

# Linux / macOS (Ctrl+C to stop)
ping 1.1.1.1
ping example.com

# Windows (four probes by default)
ping 1.1.1.1
ping example.com

Trace the path

Traceroute lists routers along the way to a destination. Names and times help spot where delay or loss begins.

# Linux
traceroute example.com
# or
mtr example.com

# Windows
tracert example.com

Interpret carefully

Some networks block or rate-limit ICMP, so a failed ping does not always mean the host is down. A website can fail while ping still works if only the web service is broken.

Combine with other checks

If ping to an IP works but a name fails, suspect DNS. If the first hops fail, look at your local link or gateway. If only distant hops fail, the problem may be upstream.