A ping can test a connection by sending packets to a host and recording its response. To ping a Mac OS, follow these directions.
Steps
Step 1. Go to "Applications"> "Utilities"> "Network Utility"
Step 2. Click the Ping tab and specify a host
You can type in a specific IP address or a website. For example, to ping eBay's main web server, type "ping www.ebay.com". To ping yourself, type "127.0.0.1".
Step 3. Press "Ping"
If the site or host is active and actively responding, you will be notified.
Step 4. Read the ping result
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The first line of the result describes what the ping will do. Eg:
ping example.com
PING example.com (192.0.32.10): 56 data bytes
Ping on Mac OS Step 4Bullet1 -
The following result lines: if the packet sent by ping to the target host arrives at its destination, is received and sent back, lines similar to these will be shown.
Ping on Mac OS Step 4Bullet2 64 bytes from 192.0.32.10: icmp_seq = 0 ttl = 240 time = 98.767 ms64 bytes from 192.0.32.10: icmp_seq = 1 ttl = 240 time = 96.521 ms64 bytes from 192.0.32.10: icmp_seq = 2 ttl = 240 time = 95.766 ms64 bytes from 192.0.32.10: icmp_seq = 3 ttl = 240 time = 95.638 ms64 bytes from 192.0.32.10: icmp_seq = 4 ttl = 240 time = 95.414 ms 64 bytes from 192.0.32.10: icmp_seq = 5 ttl = 240 time = 93.367 ms (Note: you may have to press "CTRL + C" to stop the pings)
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The results of the ping will be summarized in the last line of the result, for example:
6 packets transmitted, 6 packets received, 0.0% packet loss
round-trip min / avg / max / stddev = 93.367 / 95.912 / 98.767 / 1.599 ms
Ping on Mac OS Step 4Bullet3
Step 5. If the ping was unsuccessful, try to fix the problem
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If you get the report ping: cannot resolve example.com: Unknown host (unable to resolve ping, host unknown) usually means you misspelled the host name. Try another host name such as "eBay.com". If the report is still from an unknown host, the problem is probably the DNS server address. Retry a ping using the host's IP address instead of its name (for example: 192.0.32.10). If in this case the ping is successful, the address you are using for DNS is incorrect or unreachable or inactive.
Ping on Mac OS Step 5Bullet1 -
If you get the report ping: sendto: No route to host (no path to the host), this may mean the gateway address is incorrect or your connection is down.
Ping on Mac OS Step 5Bullet2 -
Try pinging "127.0.0.1" - this is your computer. If the ping is unsuccessful, you may have network configuration or network card related issues. Replace the card or add a new one.
Ping on Mac OS Step 5Bullet3 -
Check the cable that goes from the computer to the router, especially if the connection previously worked fine.
Ping on Mac OS Step 5Bullet4 -
Most computer network card ports have lights that indicate an active connection and one that flashes when data is being transferred. When the ping sends the packets, you should be able to see the second light flash.
Ping on Mac OS Step 5Bullet5 -
Check that the lights on your router are on properly and are indicating no faults, including those indicating connection to your computer. If a fault light is active, follow the cable from the router to the computer to make sure it is connected properly, then call your ISP if necessary.
Ping on Mac OS Step 5Bullet6 -
Boot your computer from a live CD. This is a system that will automatically set up the network card and allow you to use a ping to verify that all hardware components are working properly. It won't make any changes to your hard drive and when you're done, you can boot your system regularly.
Ping on Mac OS Step 5Bullet7
Advice
The easiest way to enable pings on a Macintosh: On the Mac you want to allow pings on
- Open "System Preferences"
- Select "Sharing"
- Click on "Firewall", a new window will appear with "Advanced"
- Click on "Advanced"
- Uncheck "Incognito Mode Skills"
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Click OK
You can now ping this Mac from all computers on your local network.
If your router is configured to protect you from incoming internet traffic, you can check the security of your network with ShieldsUP (https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2) from Gibson Research Corporation (https://www.grc.com). You should find that your first 1056 ports are undetectable (shown in green). Not responding to pings does not mean improving the security of your computer.
