Testing Your Ping

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To run a ping test, follow these steps...

(1) Click Start in the Windows taskbar and select Programs or All programs, depending on the version of Windows.
(2) Select Accessories.
(3) Select Command Prompt or MS-DOS Prompt, depending on your version of Windows.
(4) Enter ping www.verizon.net or ping 206.46.189.11.
(5) Press [Enter].

Note: Some computers will not respond to the ping test for security reasons. If a Web page or server doesn't respond to ping, try a different one.

Ping results display in the Command Prompt window. The ping test was successful if you see results similar to this:

Reply from 206.46.189.11: bytes=32 time=40ms TTL=249
Reply from 206.46.189.11: bytes=32 time=30ms TTL=249
Reply from 206.46.189.11: bytes=32 time=30ms TTL=249
Reply from 206.46.189.11: bytes=32 time=30ms TTL=249

If you get the following results, the ping test was not successful:

Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.

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[Dilbert]

A note on personal security

You should not be responding to your own ping. To test your security, at the above-mentioned prompt, type "ipconfig" without the quotes and press [Enter]. You should be given information on your IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway (if applicable). Try to ping your IP address. A secure system will lose all packets.

NOTE: This test is not a replacement for virus scanners or personal firewalls. Make sure that you have good software and it is up-to-date.