Ping-Probe 3.0.0

Overview

Ping-Probe a networking utility that includes 10 different tools to help monitor and verify connectivity and performance.

The software can ping a server or a web site to check whether it is online and what kind of response it is providing. A Traceroute can be performed from one location to the live server to see each node along the way and the eventual location of the server. A WHOIS search can be used to look up who owns different domain names. A DNS client is present to get more information about domain name servers.

There is also a TCP Port Scanner and a Network Scanner which won't necessarily take the place of a full blown network packet capturing monitoring app, but it is a good start none the less.

Installation

The installation package setup without any issues.

There was no adware, toolbars, spyware or malware included with the setup package.

Ping-Probe requires Windows XP, 2003 Server, 2008 Server, Vista, 7 or 8.x.

Interface

The interface looks like a modern network tool with menus, multiple graphs, location maps, and more.

The menu system at the top provides access to the main functions. The row of mini toolbar buttons below the menu provide faster access to core features of Ping-Probe.

There are graphs to show activity when pinging an IP address or web site address. The download and upload data stream is shown also. Connection information and map information to provide a live Traceroute function with real locality is shown near the bottom of the application window.

There is also an Advanced button which hides (or unhides) the more advanced features within the interface so not to confuse new users.

Pros

• Software can ping IP addresses and web sites to check their uptime and response rates
• Traceroute complete with mapping to show location of servers and the route traffic takes to get there
• TCP Port Scanner
• Network Scanner
• Bandwidth Monitor
• SNMP Browser
• DNS Client
• Finger, Whois and LDAP Client

Cons

None.

Alternatives

The command line within Windows can also be used to ping a server, IP address or web site to check for a response. Less fancy, but it can confirm packet loss or connection with response rates.

NetCrunch Tools (free) is a similar package which includes network tools such as Ping checker, Traceroute, TCP Port scanner, WHOIS lookup, and more.

Conclusion

Ping-Probe is a good network utility that can ping web sites and IP addresses to check their responses. It can trace an IP address back to its source and provide other useful network tools as well.