Recommended: Click here to run a Free driver update scan »
Back in the good old days of networking, ftp was the Internet, and ping could tellyou everything that was going on inside and outside of your network.
But, just as ftp has given way to the World Wide Web, Network Administrators havehad to adapt their arsenal to maintain control of their LAN.
One problem that many IT Professionals are facing is the fact that WindowsFirewall now comes installed by default on Windows XP and Vista. Although thishas been great for the added security, it is a nuisance for one simple command.
Ping.
That's right.
Trusted, time tested ping is becoming obsolete, and here's why.
Windows Firewall, by default, blocks ping requests, also known as ICMP echo requestpackets.
This is why you can't ping the new computer you just added to the LAN. It's becausethe firewall on that new computer isn't responding to the ping request.
Sure there are ways around it. Some organizations have Group Policy setup to allowping requests once computers have joined the domain. Some organizations have goneas far as to disable Windows Firewall on all computers just to be able to ping them.
But, there is a simpler way.
Hardping
Hardping is a hardware level ping utility.
The reason Hardping works when ping fails is that Hardping doesn't rely on ICMPpackets. Hardping sends its requests using ARP packets. ARP packets work at thehardware or MAC addresses level. Lets just say, it would be difficult for apersonal firewall to block these and still talk to other computers.
Hardping Pros and Cons.
Pros: 1. Works well in an environment when you need to know which computers are on thenetwork, but don't want to give up the security of Windows Firewall. 2. More accurate than regular ping in determining which computers are on your LANbecause of Personal Firewalls.3. Hardping also now comes with a Windows GUI for those who have outgrown DOS andthe command line.
Cons: 1. Hardping isn't routable. Because Hardping uses ARP packets, you'll never be ableto Hardping www.hardping.com. You can only use it for LAN monitoring.
Should I replace ping with Hardping?
No, you'll need both
Networks have become more complicated and the number of tools necessary toadminister them has also increased. Hardping is a good tool to use in somesituations, like LAN monitoring, but should still be seen as an additional tool toping, not a replacement for it.
Hardping Pro is available for Windows 2000/XP/Vista and can be purchased fromwww.hardping.com for the price of $24.95 as of this writing.
