What is the function of the command 'ping'?

The command 'ping' is primarily used to test network connectivity to another host. It achieves this by sending Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) Echo Request messages to the target host and waits for an Echo Reply. This process allows users to determine if the destination is reachable and to measure the round-trip time for messages sent to the target, providing a basic reflection of network health and reachability.

This functionality is essential for troubleshooting network issues, as it can help identify whether a server or device is responding and whether there are any network interruptions between the source and destination. The response time can also give a preliminary indication of network performance but its main purpose is connectivity checking.