The topics covered in this chapter prepare network administrators for verifying basic network connectivity. Administrators should be able to perform the following tasks:
Table 2-9 provides a list of all the tools discussed in this chapter.
Table 2-9. Tools Discussed in This Chapter
Tool | Function | Supported OS | Installable Files |
|---|
ping | Verifies connectivity and round-trip time | Windows, Linux, IOS, CatOS | Preloaded with all supported OSs |
fping | Pings multiple hosts simultaneously; faster response | Linux | http://www.fping.com |
hping | Adds functionality to ping | Linux | http://www.hping.org/ |
SmokePing | Provides prolonged and graphic version of Ping | Linux | http://people.ee.ethz.ch/~oetiker/webtools/smokeping/ |
traceroute | Traces the data path | Windows, Linux, IOS, CatOS | Preloaded with all supported OSs |
whois | Determines administrative and registration information for an Internet domain | Linux | Preloaded with all supported OSs |
nslookup | Queries DNS server to determine information about an Internet domain or host | Part of Windows and Linux | Preloaded with all supported OSs |
dig | Queries DNS server to determine information about an Internet domain or host; advanced version of nslookup | Linux | Preloaded with all supported OSs |
netstat | Determines TCP/IP active sessions and statistics | Windows, Linux | Preloaded with all supported OSs |
nbtstat | Determines network information for remote Windows computers | Windows | Preloaded with all supported OSs |