What command-line tool is commonly used for checking network connectivity?

The command-line tool used for checking network connectivity is widely known as "ping." This command sends Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) Echo Request messages to the target host and waits for Echo Reply messages in return. When you use ping, it helps to determine whether the target device is reachable over the network. It also measures the time it takes for packets to travel to the destination and back, providing an indication of the quality and speed of the network connection.

In practical use, if you want to verify connectivity to a device, such as a server or another computer, using the ping command will quickly show you if the device is accessible and whether there are any delays in communication. The utility is simple and effective, making it one of the first tools network administrators will use for checking connectivity issues.

The other options, while related to networking, serve different purposes. For example, telnet is used primarily for remote access to servers and devices, allowing users to control them via a command-line interface, and not specifically for connectivity testing. Traceroute assesses the route packets take to reach a destination but does not check basic connectivity in the same direct manner as ping. Lastly, ifconfig is a tool used for configuring and displaying network interface parameters, not