# Computer Networks/Ping/Host

The command to ping a host is ping <host>, where <host> is the host name or IP address of the host you want to ping. These activities will show you how to use the ping command to ping a host.

## Preparation

To prepare for this activity:
* Start Windows.
* Log in if necessary.

## Activity 1 - Ping Loopback Address

To test whether or not TCP/IP is functioning on the local host, first ping the loopback address 127.0.0.1:
* Open a command prompt.
* Type ping 127.0.0.1 and press Enter.
* Observe the results. You should see replies indicating success.

## Activity 2 - Ping Localhost

To test host name cache resolution, ping the name localhost. This is an alias for the loopback address:
* Type ping localhost and press Enter.
* Observe the results. You should see replies indicating success.

## Activity 3 - Ping the Host IPv4 Address

To test the local host IPv4 address:
* Use ipconfig to display the host IP address. Note the IPv4 Address displayed.
* Type ping <IPv4 Address> where <IPv4 Address> is the IPv4 address displayed above. For example, if the IPv4 address was 192.168.1.101, you would type ping 192.168.1.101. Then press Enter.
* Observe the results. You should see replies indicating success.

## Activity 4 - Ping the Host Name

To test the local host name:
* Use ipconfig /all to display the host name. Note the Host Name displayed.
* Type ping <hostname> where <hostname> is the Host Name IPv4 address displayed above. For example, if the host name was host1, you would type ping host1. Then press Enter.
* Observe the results. You should see replies indicating success.

## Activity 5 - Ping the Default Gateway

To test local network connectivity:
* Use ipconfig to display the default gateway address. Note the Default Gateway displayed.
* Type ping <default gateway address> where <default gateway address> is the default gateway address displayed above. For example, if the default gateway address was 192.168.1.1, you would type ping 192.168.1.1. Then press Enter.
* Observe the results. If you see replies indicating success, you have local network connectivity.

## Activity 6 - Ping an Internet Host by IPv4 Address

8.8.8.8 is the IPv4 address of one of Google's public DNS servers. To test Internet connectivity:
* Type ping 8.8.8.8 and press Enter.
* Observe the results. If you see replies indicating success, you have Internet connectivity.

## Activity 7 - Ping an Internet Host by Name

google-public-dns-a.google.com is the host name of one of Google's public DNS servers. To test Internet connectivity with host name resolution:
* Type ping google-public-dns-a.google.com and press Enter.
* Observe the results. If you see replies indicating success, you have Internet connectivity and host name resolution.

## Activity 8 - Ping an Internet Host by IPv6 Address

2001:4860:4860::8888 is the IPv6 address of one of Google's public DNS servers. To test IPv6 Internet connectivity:
* Type ping 2001:4860:4860::8888 and press Enter.
* Observe the results. If you see replies indicating success, you have IPv6 Internet connectivity.

## Activity 9 - Ping an Internet Host by IPv6 Name

ipv6.google.com is the IPv6-only host name of Google's web servers. To test Internet connectivity with IPv6 host name resolution:
* Type ping ipv6.google.com and press Enter.
* Observe the results. If you see replies indicating success, you have Internet connectivity and IPv6 host name resolution.
* Close the command prompt to complete this activity.

## Readings

* Wikipedia: Ping (networking utility)
* Wikipedia: Loopback
* Wikipedia: localhost
* Wikipedia: IP address
* Wikipedia: Hostname
* Wikipedia: Default gateway
* Wikipedia: Google Public DNS
* Wikipedia: Name resolution