What does the "ping" command do?

The "ping" command is used primarily to test connectivity between the host (your computer) and another network device, such as a server or router. When you issue a ping command followed by a target IP address or hostname, the command sends Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) echo request packets to the target. If the target device is reachable and responsive, it will reply with ICMP echo reply packets. This interaction helps determine whether the target is online and provides information about network delays, indicated by the round-trip time of the packets.

While measuring the speed of a network connection or retrieving the IP address of a domain are important networking tasks, they are not functions of the ping command itself. Additionally, resetting the network adapter is a different action that involves reinitializing the hardware and typically requires a different command or set of commands. Therefore, the primary function of the ping command is to confirm network connectivity, making it an essential tool for troubleshooting network issues.