What does the command 'ping' primarily test?

The command 'ping' primarily tests network connectivity. When you run the ping command followed by an IP address or a domain name, it sends Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) Echo Request packets to the target host. If the target host is reachable and functioning properly, it replies with Echo Reply packets. This process allows you to determine whether a device on a network is accessible and how long it takes for data to travel to and from that device, which is a fundamental aspect of assessing network connectivity.

While options related to file transfer rates, IP address configuration, and system load are important aspects of network and system administration, they are not the primary purpose of the ping command. The ping utility focuses specifically on verifying connectivity rather than measuring the speed of data transfer, adjusting or verifying configurations, or assessing the performance load on a system.