Pinging a domain/hostname allows you to see what IP address your computer is referencing with that name. In addition, pinging allows you to measure the round-trip time for the ping to reach the server/host and a response to be received back at your computer. It is commonly used in network diagnostics and troubleshooting.
To ping, you will need to open a command prompt application on your computer. See instructions below for the applicable operating system. Once you have opened the command prompt window, type ping followed by the hostname or IP address you would like to check. For example:
ping exampledomain.com
OR
ping 123.21.456.789
OR
ping mail.example.com
After you type in the command, press Enter and the results should display on your screen.
Windows 8
1. From the Start screen, click Apps
2. On the Apps screen, scroll until you reach the Windows System section
3. Click Command Prompt
Windows XP, Vista, 7
1. Click Start
2. Click Programs (or All Programs)
3. Click Accessories
4. Click Command Prompt
Alternate Windows Option
1. Click Start
2. Click Run...
(for more recent versions of Windows, you may need to add the Run command to your Start Menu using the Control Panel options)
3. Type cmd and click OK
Mac
1. Open Finder
2. Click Applications
3. Click Utilities
4. Click Terminal to open the application
