Testing IPX/SPX connections (nping)

After installation or reconfiguration, one should test for connectivity to the local and remote hosts using the nping command, which sends packets to a specified host and waits for them to be returned by the host.

One of the first aspects of IPX/SPX operation that should be tested for is the correct operation of the IPX/SPX server itself. The next aspect of operation that should be tested is the ability of the server to communicate with other SCO IPX/SPX or NetWare for UNIX servers on the network. nping can perform both of these tests.

To test for the local host, run nping with the command line:

nping local_host_name

For local_host_name, use the machine name as reported by uname.

If IPX/SPX is performing properly, nping displays output similar to the following:

   Received 64 bytes from [60.01.02], seq#=0 time=0 (ms)
   Received 64 bytes from [60.01.02], seq#=1 time=0 (ms)
   Received 64 bytes from [60.01.02], seq#=2 time=0 (ms)
   Received 64 bytes from [60.01.02], seq#=3 time=0 (ms)
   Received 64 bytes from [60.01.02], seq#=4 time=0 (ms)
   5 packets transmitted, 5 packets received, 0% packet loss
   round-trip min/avg/max 0/0/0 ms

If nping does not display the previous output, see ``Daemon operation'' for procedures to remedy this situation.

To test for a remote host, run nping with the following command line:

nping remote_host_name

remote_host_name should be the name of a known server on the network. Note that the remote host must be an SCO OpenServer host or a NetWare-for-UNIX host. nping cannot currently communicate with NetWare servers or clients. Press <Del> to stop the test.

If IPX/SPX can communicate with the remote host, nping displays output similar to the following:

   Received 64 bytes from [50.01.02], seq#=0 time=0 (ms)
   Received 64 bytes from [50.01.02], seq#=1 time=0 (ms)
   Received 64 bytes from [50.01.02], seq#=2 time=0 (ms)
   Received 64 bytes from [50.01.02], seq#=3 time=0 (ms)
   Received 64 bytes from [50.01.02], seq#=4 time=0 (ms)
   5 packets transmitted, 5 packets received, 0% packet loss
   round-trip min/avg/max 0/0/0 ms