ping是一种电脑网络工具，用来测试数据包能否通过IP协议到达特定主机。ping的运作原理是向目标主机传出一个ICMP echo@要求封包，并等待接收echo回应封包。程序会按时间和成功响应的次数估算丢失封包率（丢包率）和封包往返时间（网络时延，Round-trip delay time）。

在1983年12月，Mike Muuss编写了首个这样的程序，用于在IP网络出现问题时方便探查其根源。因为这个程序的运作原理与潜水艇的主动声纳相似，他便用声纳的声音来为程序取名。David L. Mills曾提出另一个取名：Packet Internet Grouper/Gopher（后者指地鼠）。

Ping is a computer network administration software utility used to test the reachability of a host on an Internet Protocol (IP) network. It measures the round-trip time for messages sent from the originating host to a destination computer and echoed back to the source. The name comes from active sonar terminology that sends a pulse of sound and listens for the echo to detect objects under water. It is sometimes interpreted as a backronym as packet Internet groper.