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ICMP echo requests on Linux and Windows - Reference Guide

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Just as a heads-up, this is going to be a quick reference guide for the use of the ICMP echo request - or better known as PING. I have to look up some options multiple times a week, so I thought it is beneficial to write it up in a post like this. I might add more options at some point, but those are the most important ones in my experience.

In a nutshell: ICMP echo requests can be used to check the reachability of two hosts on layer 3. This is indispensable in any troubleshooting session if the network is involved.

Side note: All Linux references should work on MacOS too.

Simple ping without any options #

Linux:
ping 10.10.20.1

Results

kuser@pleasejustwork:~$ ping 10.10.20.1
PING 10.10.20.1 (10.10.20.1) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from 10.10.20.1: icmp_seq=1 ttl=255 time=0.594 ms
64 bytes from 10.10.20.1: icmp_seq=2 ttl=255 time=0.489 ms
64 bytes from 10.10.20.1: icmp_seq=3 ttl=255 time=0.501 ms
64 bytes from 10.10.20.1: icmp_seq=4 ttl=255 time=0.504 ms
64 bytes from 10.10.20.1: icmp_seq=5 ttl=255 time=0.534 ms
^C
--- 10.10.20.1 ping statistics ---
5 packets transmitted, 5 received, 0% packet loss, time 4075ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 0.489/0.524/0.594/0.037 ms
Windows - Cmd Line:
ping 10.10.20.1

Results

C:\Users\windows-sucks>ping 10.10.20.1

Pinging 10.10.20.1 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 10.10.20.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=255
Reply from 10.10.20.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=255
Reply from 10.10.20.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=255
Reply from 10.10.20.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=255

Ping statistics for 10.10.20.1:
    Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms
Windows - Powershell - Test-Connection:
Test-Connection 10.10.20.1

Side note: this will take longer. The internet says it takes longer since the output is a Win32_PingStatus object you can work with. You can get a quick True or False with the -Quiet argument.

Side note: Not all options are available for PS 5.1. You can check your current version with $PSVersionTable.PSVersion.

Results

PS C:\Users\windows-sucks> Test-Connection -Computername 10.10.20.1

Source        Destination     IPV4Address      IPV6Address                              Bytes    Time(ms)
------        -----------     -----------      -----------                              -----    --------
DESKTOP-GP... 10.10.20.1                                                                32       0
DESKTOP-GP... 10.10.20.1                                                                32       0
DESKTOP-GP... 10.10.20.1                                                                32       0
DESKTOP-GP... 10.10.20.1                                                                32       0
Notable Mention: Windows - Powershell 5.1+ - Test-NetConnection:
Test-NetConnection 10.10.20.1 / tnc 10.10.20.1
Test-NetConnection can be abbreviated with tnc

Test-NetConnection on only suited for ping requests without any options. I'll write about Test-Connection in the rest of the post since it offers more options.

Results

PS C:\Users\windows-sucks> Test-NetConnection 10.10.20.1                                                                                                                                                       ComputerName           : 10.10.20.1
RemoteAddress          : 10.10.20.1
InterfaceAlias         : Ethernet
SourceAddress          : 10.10.20.54
PingSucceeded          : True
PingReplyDetails (RTT) : 0 ms

Continuous ping requests #

Linux:
continuous pings by default
Windows - Cmd Line:
/t or -t
Can be interrupted with CTRL + c
Windows - Powershell 7.2+ - Test-Connection:
-Repeat

Number of ping requests #

Sets the number of pings

Linux:
-c NUMBER
Default is continuous ping
Windows - Cmd Line:
/n NUMBER / -n NUMBER
Default is 4
Windows - Powershell 5.1+ - Test-Connection:
-Count NUMBER
Default is 4

Using a specific interface #

Linux:
-I INTERFACE-NAME
just use the name of the specific interface you want to use
Windows - Cmd Line:
-S SOURCE-IP
you have to choose the IP of the interface to use it for a ping

domain name resolution #

You get results faster if you can avoid domain name resolution.

Linux:
does the name resolution by default. Use -n to avoid it
-n
Windows - Cmd Line:
check IP for domain name
/a / -a

Avoid output / quiet mode #

Linux:
-q
only shows the start and end summary
Windows - Cmd Line:
ping 10.10.20.2 > nul 2>&1
no output at all
Windows - Powershell 5.1+ - Test-Connection:
-Quiet
Just outputs True / False

Add timestamp #

Linux:
-D
adds the timestamp in front of it in the UNIX format.
Windows:
haven't found an option. There are multiple ways with bash scripting

Packet Size #

Linux:
-s NUMBER
data bytes. The default is 56 bytes + 8 bytes ICMP header data.
Windows - Cmd Line:
/l NUMBER / -l NUMBER
data bytes. The default is 32 bytes + 8 bytes ICMP header data. Max is 65527.
Windows - Powershell 5.1+ - Test-Connection:
-BufferSize NUMBER
data bytes. The default is 32 bytes + 8 bytes ICMP header data.

TTL / Time to live #

Sets the IP Time to live!

Linux:
-t NUMBER
Windows - Cmd Line:
/i NUMBER / -i NUMBER
Windows - Powershell 5.1+ - Test-Connection:
-MaxHops NUMBER
default is 128

Sets "Don't Fragment" bit #

Sets the DF flag in the IP header.

Linux:
-M hint
Windows - Cmd Line:
/f / -f
Windows - Powershell 7.2+ - Test-Connection:
-DontFragment

IP Protocol 4 or 6 #

Linux:
-4 # IPv4
-6 # IPv6
Windows - Cmd Line:
/4 / -4 # IPv4
/6 / -6 # IPv6
Windows - Powershell 7.2+ - Test-Connection:
-IPv4 # IPv4
-IPv6 # IPv6

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