SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/tech-ping-icmp-echo

Which ICMP exchange is the basis of ping?

Ping uses an Echo Request and Echo Reply exchange.

Start playing free

  1. Router Advertisement and Solicitation
  2. Echo Request and Echo Reply ✔
  3. DNS Query and Response

Why: Ping sends an ICMP Echo Request toward a host and listens for an Echo Reply. The round-trip timing can reveal reachability and delay, although filtering can prevent replies.

Huh, didn't know that: The Echo Reply returns the data carried in the Echo Request.

The dad joke
Ping called into the canyon and waited for an echo reply.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: Echo Request and Echo Reply. Ping sends an ICMP Echo Request toward a host and listens for an Echo Reply. The round-trip timing can reveal reachability and delay, although filtering can prevent replies.

  1. RFC 792: Internet Control Message Protocol www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc792.html
    The data received in the echo message must be returned in the echo reply message.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Tech & GadgetsHow does IP treat separate datagrams?Tech & GadgetsWhich sequence matches the Internet protocol suite from top to bottom?Tech & GadgetsHow many layers are in the OSI reference model?

That's stuff everyone should know.