ping is the acronym for packet internet groper (ping), a utility to determine if a specific ip address is accessible. it works by sending a packet to the specified address and waiting for a reply. ping is primarily used to troubleshoot internet connections. by sending out a ping, you are verifying that a specific computer is available. since all computers on the network must have a unique ip address, getting a reply means that a computer is on the network and it can communicate. if you cannot ping another computer, then there is probably a problem with the hardware. check the cabling and adapter installation. if you are unable to network, even when you receive a reply to your ping, it is probably a software configuration issue. verify that all the settings are correct.
start ms-dos prompt.
type in following: ping:xxx.xxx.xx.xx, where xxx.xxx.xx.xx is the ip address to be pinged (i.e. 192.152.81.85). in this case, computer a is pinging its own ip address.
a successful ping will show four replies.