Ping (Packet Internet Groper) is a computer network administration software utility used to troubleshoot connectivity. It is used to verify the connection between two machines by checking reachability of a host on an Internet Protocol (IP) network. A Ping measures the time it takes for packets to be sent from the local host to a destination computer and back. The Ping tool measures and records the round-trip time of the packet sent from the originating host to a destination computer that are echoed back to the source and any losses along the way. This concept is similar to sonar terminology that sends a pulse of sound and listens for the echo to detect objects under water. Ping is available in all operating systems that have networking capability, including most embedded network administration software. Ping is the primary TCP/IP command used to troubleshoot connectivity, reachability, and name resolution.
More information about some technical terms:
A host (also known as “network host”) is a computer or other device that communicates with other hosts on a network. Hosts on a network include clients and servers — that send or receive data, services or applications.
In networking, a packet is a small segment of a larger message. A packet is a basic unit of communication over a digital network. Data sent over computer networks such as the Internet, is divided into packets. These packets are then recombined by the computer or device that receives them.
A packet switched network (PSN) is a type of computer communications network that groups and sends data in the form of small packets.
Computer networking refers to interconnected computing devices that can exchange data and share resources with each other. These networked devices use a system of rules, called communications protocols, to transmit information over physical or wireless technologies.
TCP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol and is a suite of communication protocols used to interconnect network devices on the internet. TCP/IP is also used as a communications protocol in a private computer network (an intranet or extranet).
TCP stands for Transmission Control Protocol a communications standard that enables application programs and computing devices to exchange messages over a network. It is designed to send packets across the internet and ensure the successful delivery of data and messages over networks.
An IP network is a communication network that uses Internet Protocol (IP) to send and receive messages between one or more computers.