Ping/Link Test

Use the Ping/Link Test dialog box to run one of the following point-to-point tests between your switch and another IEEE 802.3-compliant device on your network. These tests can tell you whether the switch is communicating properly with another device on the network.

Note: To respond to a Ping test or Link test, the remote device must be IEEE 802.3-compliant.

On the Display

Ping Test -- A test of the path between the switch and another device on the same or another IP network that responds to IP (Internet Protocol) packets. (Ping stands for "Packet INternet Groper.")

Link Test -- A test of the connection between the switch (the "local" device) and a designated remote device on the same LAN (or VLAN, if configured). During the link test, IEEE 802.3 test packets are sent the number of times chosen from the switch to the designated remote device in the same VLAN or broadcast domain. The remote device returns the data to the switch, where it is compared to the data transmitted. If the received data matches the transmitted data, the test passes.

Successes -- The number of Ping or Link packets that successfully completed the last test.

Failures -- The number of Ping or Link packets that were unsuccessful in the last test. Failures indicate connectivity or network performance problems.

Destination IP/MAC Address -- The network address of the device to which you want to test a connection with the switch. The IP address of the device, in X.X.X.X format. X is a decimal number between 0 and 255. A MAC address is made up of 12 hex digits, i.e., 080009-123456.

Number of Packets to Send -- The number of times you want the switch to attempt to test a connection with another device.

Timeout in Seconds -- The number of seconds you want the switch to attempt to test a connection with another device before determining the current test shows a failed connection and reinitiating a test.

How To...

Perform a Link or Ping Test:

Select Link Test or Ping Test.
In the Destination... field, type in the IP address or MAC address of the destination device.
In the Number of Packets... dropdown menu, select the number of times to perform the test.
In the Timeout in Seconds dropdown menu, select the number of seconds the switch should wait for each packet to complete the test.
Click on the Start button. The test will run until all packets have been sent and either a response has been received for each or the specified time-out period for each has elapsed. The graph at the top of the window will indicate how many packets were successful and how many failed.

If you want to stop a Link or Ping test before it concludes, click on the Stop button.

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