Troubleshooting: Why Ping When You Can CryPing?

In this video, learn about a free alternative tool to ping for network analysis.

Tony Fortunato

October 23, 2017

1 Min Read
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As a network analyst, you probably use ping every day in your work. The utility is an essential part of the network troubleshooting toolbox. We ping to:

  • check if a device is up or reachable

  • resolve a host name

  • determine if there is a latency issue

  • identify packet loss

  • test IP Time To Live values

  • validate if certain packet sizes are able to traverse your network

Because the protocol used by ping, ICMP, can be exploited by hackers, network administrators in the past few years began blocking or rerouting ICMP traffic.This diminishes ping's effectiveness.

I'm often asked what I use as an ICMP ping replacement. I always point people to CryPing, a free command-line, portable tool that can ping using ICMP, but has a host of additional features. You can perform TCP port checks, test HTTP, POP, SMTP and even NNTP.

In this video, I use Wireshark to demonstrate how CryPing works.

I like to use CryPing to compare response times for TCP 80 port check, HTTP, and ICMP pings.

About the Author

Tony Fortunato

Sr Network Performance Specialist

Tony Fortunato is a network performance expert who has been designing, implementing and troubleshooting networks since 1989. His company, The Technology Firm, provides clients of all sizes with services ranging from project management, network design, consulting, troubleshooting, designing custom-designed training courses, and assisting with equipment installation. Tony's experience in networking started with financial trading floor networks and ISPs, where he learned to integrate and support equipment from various vendors. Tony has taught and presented at numerous colleges and universities, public forums and private classes. He blogs frequently at NetworkDataPediaand has a popular YouTube channel.

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