What is a common tool used for network diagnostics?

The ping command is a widely used network diagnostic tool that helps determine whether a specific IP address is reachable over a network. It works by sending Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) Echo Request messages to the specified address and waiting for an Echo Reply. This allows technicians to measure the round-trip time for messages sent from the originating host to the destination and back, enabling them to assess the connectivity and responsiveness of the network.

Using the ping command is often one of the first steps in troubleshooting network issues because it provides immediate feedback about the status of a network connection. It can help identify problems such as packet loss or high latency, which can certainly affect network performance.

Other tools like traceroute, netstat, and speed test applications serve specific purposes as well. Traceroute helps to determine the path that packets take across a network, revealing any potential bottlenecks or points of failure along that path. Netstat provides information about current network connections and can give insights into which processes are using the network. Speed test applications measure the performance metrics of a network connection, such as download and upload speeds. While all these tools are useful for network diagnostics, the ping command stands out as one of the most fundamental and commonly used tools to quickly check the basic health