TestOut Linux Pro Practice Test 2026 - Free Linux Pro Practice Questions and Study Guide

The 'ping' command in Linux is primarily used to test connectivity to a network host. When you issue a ping command followed by a hostname or an IP address, the system sends ICMP Echo Request packets to that destination. If the host is reachable, it responds with ICMP Echo Reply packets. This process helps determine if the network path to the host is functioning correctly and can indicate issues such as packet loss, latency, or network outages.

The other choices do not accurately describe the function of the 'ping' command. While measuring the speed of the internet connection is a common misconception, 'ping' does not provide speed metrics; it simply checks if the connection is active. Identifying the IP address of a host requires a different tool, like 'nslookup' or 'dig', instead of using 'ping'. Lastly, sending files to a network host is typically performed using protocols and commands designed for file transfer, such as SCP or FTP, rather than 'ping'. Hence, the correct function of 'ping' is to test connectivity to a network host.