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The switches you can use with ping depend on where you run it. On Windows, common options include -n to set the number of requests, -w for a per-reply timeout, and -t to keep pinging until interrupted. Linux and Unix commonly use -c for a count instead. Network appliances have their own device-specific ping controls, so Windows and Linux flags may not work in a switch’s command line.
Windows ping switches
Windows uses these switches with ping. The reference descriptions are documented in the CompTIA Network+ Student Guide and a technical reference article.
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| Switch | What it does |
|---|---|
-t |
Sends requests continuously until you interrupt the command. |
-a |
Resolves an IP address to a hostname. |
-n count |
Sends the specified number of Echo Requests. For example, ping -n 5 example.com sends five requests. |
-l size |
Sets the ICMP data buffer size. |
-f |
Sets the IPv4 Don’t Fragment flag. |
-i TTL |
Sets the IP Time To Live value. |
-w timeout |
Sets how long to wait for each reply, in milliseconds. |
-4 or -6 |
Forces IPv4 or IPv6 when pinging a hostname. |
-r count |
Records the route for the specified number of hops, where supported. |
-s count |
Timestamps the specified number of hops, where supported. |
-j host-list |
Uses loose source routing. Support is limited or legacy. |
-k host-list |
Uses strict source routing. Support is limited or legacy. |
Common Windows examples
ping -n 5 example.comsends five requests.ping -t example.comcontinues until interrupted.ping -4 example.comorping -6 example.comselects the address family when the target is a hostname.
Linux and Unix ping options
Linux and Unix implementations do not necessarily use Windows option names or semantics. Common examples include -c for a request count, -q for summary-only output, -s for payload size, -w for a deadline, -V for version output, and -f for flood mode. These examples are described in the Linux ping(8) manual; check your system’s local manual because options vary by implementation.
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Send a fixed number of pings
On many Linux systems, use -c followed by the count. For example, ping -c 5 example.com sends five requests. This is the common Linux equivalent of Windows ping -n 5 example.com, not a universal Unix rule.
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Other common Linux examples
ping -q example.comsuppresses per-packet output and shows a summary.ping -s 100 example.comsets the payload size to 100 bytes in the cited Linux implementation.ping -w 5 example.comsets a five-second deadline in that implementation; it is not the same as Windows’ per-reply timeout.ping -Vdisplays version information in the cited implementation.ping -f example.comenables flood mode. It can generate traffic rapidly and is normally restricted to privileged users; use it only with appropriate authorization.
To check your installed version, run ping --help or consult its local ping(8) manual.
Ping options on a managed network switch
A managed switch may provide a ping tool in its own command-line interface or web interface. These are device-specific diagnostics, not necessarily the same utility or syntax as a computer’s ping command.
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- The Aruba 2530 guide describes an ICMP ping/link test between the switch and an IEEE 802.3-compliant device.
- The Atop EHG7708 manual documents IPv4 and IPv6 ping controls for destination, payload size, packet count, TTL, VLAN or source interface, source port, and quiet output.
Use the manual for the specific model and software version to find its syntax and available controls. Do not assume a Windows or Linux switch will work in the appliance’s interface.
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Which ping switches should you use?
- For a finite number of Windows requests, use
-n count; on many Linux systems, use-c count. - For Windows continuous testing, use
-tand interrupt it when finished. - For Windows address-family selection, use
-4or-6; check the local implementation for equivalent options elsewhere. - For Windows reply timing,
-wsets a per-reply timeout. On the cited Linux implementation,-wsets an overall deadline, so the same spelling does not mean the same thing. - Use route-recording or source-routing options only if your implementation and network support them;
-r,-j, and-kmay be unsupported or constrained on modern networks. - For a managed switch, use its own documented diagnostic options, which may include a VLAN or source interface.
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