ping vs ping6 | difference between ping and ping6

This page compares ping vs ping6 and mentions difference between ping and ping6. It mentions syntax usage along with examples of ping and ping6 commands.

Introduction:
Ping protocol is one among family of ICMP protocols. It is used to check connectivity between one IP based machine and another IP based machine. Using Ping and Ping6, one can initiate command in the source PC and determines whether the destination PC is reachable or not. As we know there are two types of IP addresses given to the systems/devices connected on the internet domain viz. IPv4 and IPv6 >>.


ping request and ping response

The main difference between ping and ping6 is that ping is associated with IPv4 where as ping6 is associated with IPv6. Following table mentions syntax or format of the ping command. It is used with IPv4 addresses.

Ping Command Syntax usage formats and examples

Ping is used for IPv4 addresses and domains. When ping/ping6 command is given in the source PC, it sends some bytes along with header all the way till destination PC. The destination PC replies with "ping response" and copies all the data received in the ping request command in the payload part of ping response. The source PC compares received data with transmitted one and calculates packet loss in percentage(%).


Ping Command Format Description
#ping w.x.y.z The command checks for layer-3 connectivity with IP device with address w.x.y.z
#ping 172.168.20.1 Performs basic layer-3 to test device with ip address 172.168.20.1
#ping Guru Same as above but it pings the system with its IP host name rather than IP address

Ping6 Command Syntax usage formats and examples

Following table-2 mentions ping6 command syntax formats with usage descriptions. We can also use ping6 to check if a host or server supports IPv6 or not. The other command similar to ping6 is "traceroute6" to check reachability and route.


Ping6 Command format Description
# ping6 <hostwithipv6address> ping6 www.ipv6tf.org
# ping6 <ipv6address> ping6 fe80::e8a7:b568:a076:6ba3 (Own link-local)
ping6 fe80::200:87ff:fe28:a0e0%5 (neighbor's link-local on interface 5)
ping6 [-I <device>] <link-local-ipv6address> ping6 -I eth0 fe80::21e:52ff:fe73:c2a6
ping6 <link-local-ipv6address>%<device> ping6 fe80::21e:52ff:fe73:c2a6%en1
# ping6 -I eth0 ff02::1 Ping6 to multicast addresses

Also refer Ping Protocol basics which mentions ping request and ping response protocol message contents.

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