TECHNICAL BULLETIN #159 - Rev 1.00 (8/1/96)

==============================================================================
TITLE   : Using DSPing to Test Connectivity Problems
PRODUCT : PROCOMM PLUS 3.x for Windows
==============================================================================

This document describes the PROCOMM PLUS 3.0 Ping utility and how it can be
used to determine network or software configuration problems.
 
WHAT IS PING?
A ping utility is a simple program that tests the connection to a specified
host and reports its progress.  If the connection was unsuccessful, Ping
reports the stage in which the connection failed.  A ping utility can be very
useful in determining the cause of a connection failure.

HOW DOES PING WORK?
Ping sends a packet (a small bundle of data) to a remote computer.  The packet
will "bounce" off the remote if it is "alive" or, in other words, the remote
will send the packet back if it is both working properly and has been
configured to respond to ping packets.

The term "ping" is used because the process resembles the "ping" noise that is
bounced off of objects in sonar.  By pinging various locations, you can
determine why a connection to a particular host is failing.

HOW DO I USE PING?
PROCOMM PLUS 3.0's Ping utility is very simple to use.  The program is
dsping.exe and it is located in the C:\PROWIN3\PROGRAMS directory (your path
may be different).  Execute the program using the following steps:

 For Windows 3.x
 
1. From Program Manager, click File | Run.

2. Type in C:\PROWIN3\PROGRAMS\DSPING (substitute the proper path if 
   different), or

3. Use the browse button to find dsping.exe.
 
 For Windows 95

1. Click the Start button and select Run.

2. Type in C:\PROWIN3\PROGRAMS\DSPING (substitute the proper path if 
   different) or

3. Use the browse button to find dsping.exe.

To use the utility, simply type in the name of the host in the "Name or IP
address" field and click Ping or press <Enter>.  

NOTE:  The default settings in the Options menu are already configured for the
most common tests used when troubleshooting a connection problem.  For this
reason, it should be unnecessary to change them unless you are performing
specific tests with a host.

HOW PING CAN ASSIST IN TROUBLESHOOTING
The ping utility will generally display one of three messages:  "Ping!",
"Cannot connect to host", or "The name or address you entered is not valid".
Each error indicates a different problem with the network, your local machine,
or the host.  Additional information below describes common problems and their
causes.

PING!
A successful ping means that the packet has been received by the remote and it
has sent it back.  The host in question is functioning and the connection
between is okay.

If the ping was successful, but you cannot connect to the host using telnet or
FTP, PROCOMM PLUS' clients may be misconfigured.  Verify your settings.

THE NAME OR ADDRESS YOU ENTERED IS NOT VALID
This message can result under several circumstances:

*  The host may be non-existent,
*  The host was not  recognized by the Domain Name Server (DNS),
*  The Domain Name Server may be down or inactive,
*  The Domain Name Server address may be incorrect.

To troubleshoot this problem try the following:

*  Verify the address and try again.
*  Try pinging the DNS address.  If this fails, the DNS may be down.
*  Verify the DNS address in the stack setup you are using.

CANNOT CONNECT TO HOST.  CONNECTION TIMED OUT 
I can ping other hosts on your LAN okay.

Most likely, the host is down or unresponsive.  

I CANNOT PING OTHER HOSTS ON THE MY LAN.
The LAN may be down or your gateway may be down or inactive.  Check the 
gateway address in Setup.

GETTING HELP

In most cases, you'll want to speak with your Network Administrator.  He
or she will have knowledge of your specific setup, will know how to
analyze the data returned by Ping, and can advise you on proper settings.

==========================================================================
 To ensure that you have the latest version of this document, compare its
 revision number to that of the same document on any of our support sites.
This technical bulletin may be copied and distributed freely as long as it
     is distributed in its entirety and it is not distributed for profit.
         Copyright (c) 1996 Quarterdeck  All rights reserved.
==========================================================================