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OS X Tip #144
This tip may seem simplistic, but I have had Windows switchers ask me how to “ping” on a Mac. I even had a person tell me once that Mac’s could not “ping.” Ping is a computer network tool used to test whether a particular host (a computer, server, video end point, etc) is reachable across an IP network. Ping works by sending ICMP “echo request” packets (a Ping) to the target host and listening for ICMP and waits for a response. This is very useful to find another computer, printer, etc on a home network.
Here’s how:
There are two basic ways to “ping” on a Mac. One uses a handy application that is included with all Macs called the Network Utility that is located in Applications -> Utilities folder. The other utilizes the Terminal found in the Applications -> Utilities folder.
Network Utility
This handy application allows for many network tests including Lookup, Traceroute, and Whois as well as Ping. Just choose Ping across the top and put in the IP address you want to Ping, then select the Ping button.
Terminal
To use the Terminal to ping, open Terminal (Applications -> Utilities folder) and type:
ping ip address
Use the Control + Z key to stop it.
If you want more information on the ping command in the Terminal see the “man” page by typing:
man ping
To see the manual page. You can actually perform all the same tests and more in Terminal as you can with the Network Utility if you know the syntax. The “man” pages can help.
