For instance, an DALnet server address might be Cin.dal.net, indicating it is in Cincinnati Ohio. An EFnet server might be named mickey.cc.utexas.edu, indicating it is in Texas. You check your lag status with the Ping command. The ping response time will be in seconds and will appear in the status window. The Ping Pong you see is the result of your server interrogating you to see if you are still on the system.
Some servers are more forgiving of idle time than others.
If you are constantly being bombarded by the Ping Pongs, try a different server. Usually their names end with Bot, Srv, or Serv . Well, that depends what it was designed to do. Usually they simulate people by making weird comments and sometimes providing information. Try messaging one with the word help .