Networking Basics - Part 2

Ping

Ping is a command that we can use to test connectivity to a remote site or a remote network. When connected to the internet, we access websites such as google.com, facebook.com etc. We can use the command “ping” to test connectivity to these sites. In the example below, I have used Ping command to test connectivity to www.google.co.in.

Ping command

What I have typed is www.google.co.in , but received response from 172.217.26.67 which is called an IP Address. Google.co.in is called a Domain name and it is resolved to 172.217.26.67 which is an IP Address by a Domain Name System (DNS) server. We will discuss IP Addresses, domain names, DNS in detail later. As of now, think of domain names as facebook.com, amazon.com, etc. and IP Addresses as numerical addresses such as 172.217.26.67, 54.239.17.6 etc. and Domain Name System (DNS) is a server that is telling my PC that google.co.in has this IP Address and through ping command, I am able to test my connectivity to that IP address.

Tracert

We can use this command called tracert (Trace route) on our windows PC to test the path or to find the path to site such as google.co.in as shown below.

Tracert command

This command has shown me that how many devices I have jumped across or passed through to reach to google.co.in.

Note: In Linux and Mac OS , we can use "traceroute" command for tracing the route.

IP Address (Internet Protocol Address)

• It is a numerical address assigned to every device such as a computer that connects to a computer network and uses internet protocols for communication.

• It is similar to a house address. In physical world, we have house address and street address. Similarly, in computer networking, we have an IP address.

House Address

How to know the IP Address of your computer (for Windows Operating System)

We will discuss 2 methods for finding an IP address.

1. Through control panel 
2. Through command prompt

Method 1: Through control panel

Step 1:   Open Control Panel.

Step 2:   Click on Network and Intenet à Network and Sharing Center, click on Change adapter settings.

Step 3:   Highlight and right click on Wi-Fi, go to Status àDetails. The IP address will display.

Checking IP Address via Control Panel

Note: If your computer is connected to a wired network, please click on Ethernet icon.

Method 2: Through command prompt.

Step 1:   Open Command Prompt.

Step 2:   Type “ipconfig” and press enter.

This will display your network connection information. Look for IPv4 address under Wireless adapter or Ethernet adapter (depending on if your computer is connected via Wi-Fi or Ethernet).

ipconfig command

As my computer is connected to the internet via Wi-Fi, I can see my IP Address under Wireless Adapter.