Exploring the Internet - Class #4

"The World Wide Web"

Learn How To...

View the number of hops (router to router) a packet of information takes from your computer to a specified Domain name.

Traceroute is a command which can show you the path a packet of information takes from your computer to one you specify. It will list all the routers it passes through until it reaches its destination, or fails to and is discarded. In addition, it will tell you how long each "hop" takes from router to router.

Example: Trace from your computer to www.google.com

1. Click the Start button on the Windows taskbar

2. Click Run.

3. Type cmd to then click on OK to open the MS-DOS window.

4. Type tracert google.com and press <ENTER>

5. When finished analyzing information, type exit close the MS-DOS window and return to Windows.

Analyzing the Information:

The 2 top lines indicate the IP address of the desired domain, and the maximum number of hops it will take before it times out.

The columns which follow the above information include the following information:

• Column 1:         An itemized list of each "hop" (router), starting with your own
                          computers router.
   

• Columns 2-4:     How long it takes to get a response from the router, in milliseconds
                          (millionths of seconds). This is tested 3 times.
   

• Column 5:         The router for that particular "hop", including its location and IP
                          address.