# ICMP echo requests on Linux and Windows - Reference Guide

Just as a heads-up, this is going to be a quick reference guide for the use of the ICMP echo request - or better known as `PING`. I have to look up some options multiple times a week, so I thought it is beneficial to write it up in a post like this. I might add more options at some point, but those are the most important ones in my experience.

In a nutshell: ICMP echo requests can be used to check the reachability of two hosts on layer 3. This is indispensable in any troubleshooting session if the network is involved.

**Side note**: All Linux references should work on **MacOS** too.

# Simple ping without any options <a href="#ping" id="ping">#</a>

Linux: 
: `ping 10.10.20.1`

**Results**

```markdown

kuser@pleasejustwork:~$ ping 10.10.20.1
PING 10.10.20.1 (10.10.20.1) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from 10.10.20.1: icmp_seq=1 ttl=255 time=0.594 ms
64 bytes from 10.10.20.1: icmp_seq=2 ttl=255 time=0.489 ms
64 bytes from 10.10.20.1: icmp_seq=3 ttl=255 time=0.501 ms
64 bytes from 10.10.20.1: icmp_seq=4 ttl=255 time=0.504 ms
64 bytes from 10.10.20.1: icmp_seq=5 ttl=255 time=0.534 ms
^C
--- 10.10.20.1 ping statistics ---
5 packets transmitted, 5 received, 0% packet loss, time 4075ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 0.489/0.524/0.594/0.037 ms
```

Windows - Cmd Line:
: `ping 10.10.20.1`

**Results**

```markdown
C:\Users\windows-sucks>ping 10.10.20.1

Pinging 10.10.20.1 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 10.10.20.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=255
Reply from 10.10.20.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=255
Reply from 10.10.20.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=255
Reply from 10.10.20.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=255

Ping statistics for 10.10.20.1:
    Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms
```

Windows - Powershell - Test-Connection:
: `Test-Connection 10.10.20.1`

**Side note**: this will take longer. The internet says it takes longer since the output is a Win32_PingStatus object you can work with. You can get a quick `True` or `False` with the `-Quiet` argument.

**Side note**: Not all options are available for PS 5.1. You can check your current version with `$PSVersionTable.PSVersion`.

**Results**

```markdown
PS C:\Users\windows-sucks> Test-Connection -Computername 10.10.20.1

Source        Destination     IPV4Address      IPV6Address                              Bytes    Time(ms)
------        -----------     -----------      -----------                              -----    --------
DESKTOP-GP... 10.10.20.1                                                                32       0
DESKTOP-GP... 10.10.20.1                                                                32       0
DESKTOP-GP... 10.10.20.1                                                                32       0
DESKTOP-GP... 10.10.20.1                                                                32       0
```

Notable Mention: Windows - Powershell 5.1+ - Test-NetConnection:
: `Test-NetConnection 10.10.20.1` / `tnc 10.10.20.1`
: `Test-NetConnection` can be abbreviated with `tnc`

`Test-NetConnection` on only suited for ping requests without any options. I'll write about `Test-Connection` in the rest of the post since it offers more options.

**Results**

```markdown
PS C:\Users\windows-sucks> Test-NetConnection 10.10.20.1                                                                                                                                                       ComputerName           : 10.10.20.1
RemoteAddress          : 10.10.20.1
InterfaceAlias         : Ethernet
SourceAddress          : 10.10.20.54
PingSucceeded          : True
PingReplyDetails (RTT) : 0 ms
```

## Continuous ping requests <a href="#cont" id="cont">#</a>

Linux:
: *continuous pings by default*

Windows - Cmd Line:
: `/t` or `-t`
: *Can be interrupted with `CTRL` + `c`*

Windows - Powershell 7.2+ - Test-Connection:
: `-Repeat`


## Number of ping requests <a href="#number" id="number">#</a>

Sets the number of pings

Linux:
: `-c NUMBER`
: Default is continuous ping

Windows - Cmd Line:
: `/n NUMBER` / `-n NUMBER`
: Default is 4

Windows - Powershell 5.1+ - Test-Connection:
: `-Count NUMBER`
: Default is 4

## Using a specific interface <a href="#interface" id="interface">#</a>

Linux: 
: `-I INTERFACE-NAME`
: *just use the name of the specific interface you want to use*

Windows - Cmd Line:
:  `-S SOURCE-IP`
: *you have to choose the IP of the interface to use it for a ping*


## domain name resolution <a href="#resolution" id="resolution">#</a>

You get results faster if you can avoid domain name resolution.  

Linux:
: *does the name resolution by default. Use `-n` to avoid it*
: `-n`

Windows - Cmd Line:
: *check IP for domain name*
: `/a` / `-a`


## Avoid output / quiet mode <a href="#quiet" id="quiet">#</a>

Linux:
: `-q`
: only shows the start and end summary

Windows - Cmd Line:
: `ping 10.10.20.2 > nul 2>&1`
: *no output at all*

Windows - Powershell 5.1+ - Test-Connection:
: `-Quiet`
: Just outputs `True` / `False`


## Add timestamp <a href="#timestamp" id="timestamp">#</a>

Linux:
: `-D`
: adds the timestamp in front of it in the UNIX format.

Windows:
: *haven't found an option. There are multiple ways with bash scripting*


## Packet Size <a href="#size" id="size">#</a>

Linux:
: `-s NUMBER`
: data bytes. The default is 56 bytes + 8 bytes ICMP header data.

Windows - Cmd Line:
: `/l NUMBER` / `-l NUMBER`
: data bytes. The default is 32 bytes + 8 bytes ICMP header data. Max is 65527.

Windows - Powershell 5.1+ - Test-Connection:
: `-BufferSize NUMBER`
: data bytes. The default is 32 bytes + 8 bytes ICMP header data.


## TTL / Time to live <a href="#ttl" id="ttl">#</a>

Sets the IP Time to live!

Linux:
: `-t NUMBER`

Windows - Cmd Line:
: `/i NUMBER` / `-i NUMBER`

Windows - Powershell 5.1+ - Test-Connection:
: `-MaxHops NUMBER`
: *default is 128*


## Sets "Don't Fragment" bit <a href="#df" id="df">#</a>

Sets the DF flag in the IP header.

Linux:
: `-M hint`

Windows - Cmd Line:
: `/f` / `-f`

Windows - Powershell 7.2+ - Test-Connection:
: `-DontFragment`


## IP Protocol 4 or 6 <a href="#protocol" id="protocol">#</a>

Linux:
: `-4` *# IPv4*
: `-6` *# IPv6*

Windows - Cmd Line:
: `/4` / `-4` *# IPv4*
: `/6` / `-6` *# IPv6*

Windows - Powershell 7.2+ - Test-Connection:
: `-IPv4` *# IPv4*
: `-IPv6` *# IPv6*

---