The best way to discover MacPing’s features is to use it. Here are some experiments you can perform to illustrate its most important capabilities.
Testing One or a Few Devices
MacPing normally tests all the devices on a network. Use the standard Macintosh conventions to select specific devices to be tested:
• Click on the name of a device to select it.
• Shift-click to extend the selection to a continuous range.
• Command-click to add or remove a device.
Displaying All Names for a Device
AppleTalk devices may have registered names for multiple services. Click and hold the mouse on a device name for about a half second. A menu of all registered names will pop up. If you choose a different name, it will be shown when you release the mouse.
Displaying SNMP or Macintosh System Information
MacPing can display additional information about devices. Option-click on the device’s name: AppleTalk devices will show system information; a LaserWriter® shows the printer status; and a device that supports SNMP will show selected variables from its “Management Information Base” (MIB).
Selecting a New Zone to Test
The Zone pop-up menu shows the zone currently being tested. Click the pop-up menu to select another zone to test.
Note: The zone name of the MacPing machine is underlined.
Selecting a New Network to Test
The Network pop-up menu displays the network currently being tested. Click the pop-up menu to select another network in the zone being tested.
Note: The network number of the MacPing machine is underlined.
Selecting a Probe Packet Type
MacPing uses Automatic mode as its default mode of testing the network. You can also select a probe type from the Probe Type pop-up menu. Select Long Echo to perform a more thorough test; use Custom Echo to fill the echo packet with your own data; use Random Echo to specify the length of a packet filled with random data.
Testing IP Devices
To test an IP device, select Test IP from the MacPing (or Network pop-up) menu. Enter the host name or IP address (or the start and end of a range of addresses) for the device(s) to test. You may select ICMP Echo (short, medium or long), SNMP Request, a “custom” echo packet with data of your choosing, or Random ICMP Echo to fill the ICMP echo packets with random data.
Pausing Testing
Click on the lock icon to pause testing; click again to resume testing. Click on the speaker icon to turn on and off the beeps when a packet is lost.
