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Chapter 8
Ping and Traceroute Tools
Ping and Traceroute are two basic IP network verification tools. Both Ping and
Traceroute can be considered as an integrating part of the Operations, Administration
and Maintenance (OAM) suite for the IP protocol family. Due to the high availability of
this tools, Ping and Traceroute can be used for testing in almost any network.
8.1.Ping
Ping checks “distance” to any host in the network in terms of delay and packet loss.
Results may not be as accurate as the SLA statistics supplied by other xGenius tests
but Ping tests are fast, virtually supported by any IP network element and they are at
least a good way to check end-to-end network connectivity before running a more
sophisticated test.
8.1.1. Internet Control Message Protocol
Ping is an application of the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) Echo request
and Echo reply messages. The IP protocol alone is unable to monitor whether the
packets arrive to final destination. Moreover, it does not provide any error reporting
when routing and forwarding anomalies occur. This task is left to the ICMP protocol.
ICMP is a network layer Internet protocol that provides mechanisms to report errors
and other information regarding IP packet processing back to the source. It is used for
error reporting and analysis, transferring messages from routers and stations, and for
reporting network configuration and performance problems.
ICMP generates several kinds of useful messages, including Destination Unreachable,
Echo Request and Echo Reply, Redirect, Time Exceeded, and Router Advertisement
and Router Solicitation. The ICMP functionality includes: Report network errors,
Congestion indication, Troubleshooting assistance, Announce packet time-outs when
TTL field is set to zero.
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