Re: Ping, ICMP and TCP Ping

[Barrie Dempster <barrie () reboot-robot net>]

On Thu, 2005-08-25 at 09:22 +0100, zaka rias wrote:
> hi,
>
> Im learning protocol tcp/ip and icmp, and as far as i
> know that Ping (software) is using ICMP protocol to
> transmit packets and PING is identic with ICMP.

Basically the word "PING" generally means asking "are you there". The
protocol in use at the time is irrelevant. Sending a TCP packet or an
ICMP packet usually achieves the desired result, ie.. you confirm that
the machine is there.

Although this isn't 100% effective, if you control the machines you can
usually rely on a ping of some type to let you know what is going on.

The fact that ICMP echo requests are the most common way to ping a
machine is because they are designed for this sort of function, using
another protocol is fine as long as you believe the results will be
reliable enough for you purposes. ICMP echo and ping have become
synonymous for most, due to the command line util named "ping" which
uses ICMP echo's. If you want to play around with pinging in different
protocols have a look at the hping2 utility.


-- 
With Regards..
Barrie Dempster (zeedo) - Fortiter et Strenue

"He who hingeth aboot, geteth hee-haw" Victor - Still Game

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