ICMP Ping Manager - Monitor Network Devices & Websites

Monitoring Network Devices with Ping Manager
Frequently, both in professional and domestic settings, the necessity arises to ascertain the operational status of computers, printers, servers, and other connected devices. The proliferation of devices utilizing home networks has made this a common requirement for many individuals.
Previously, Karl explored various methods for diagnosing network issues. He detailed a range of commands – including ping, netstat, and ipconfig – that can be employed to troubleshoot network devices.
I also previously shared Windows Scripts designed to automate the process of regularly pinging multiple devices. These scripts offer a scheduled approach to network monitoring.
Simplifying Network Diagnostics
However, individuals unfamiliar with networking concepts or the intricacies of commands like ping may find these methods challenging. For those users, a graphical user interface (GUI) application can significantly simplify network connectivity verification.
Ping Manager is one such application. It’s a complimentary utility offered by the developers of the commercial software, MyLanViewer.
This tool handles the complex tasks, presenting the results in an easily understandable format.
- It provides a user-friendly interface for monitoring device availability.
- No prior networking knowledge is required to utilize its features.
- The application automates the process of checking network connectivity.
Essentially, Ping Manager abstracts away the complexities of command-line tools, making network monitoring accessible to a wider audience.
Monitoring Network Health with Ping Manager
I am consistently seeking out innovative and effective tools for assessing the operational status of devices, servers, and computers within a network environment. These tools are essential for my professional responsibilities, and equally valuable for maintaining oversight of the devices connected to my home network.
My home network includes laptops, a personal server, gaming consoles like the Nintendo DS and Wii, streaming media players, smartphones, and numerous other connected devices. While continuous monitoring of every device isn’t always necessary, certain components – such as the phone router, my server, and devices supporting the home surveillance system – require consistent health checks. If you share similar monitoring needs, preparing your IP inventory and then launching Ping Manager is a logical next step.

For quick, one-time troubleshooting, the software allows you to perform individual pings. Simply enter the device’s IP address and click the "Start" button to initiate a standard ping test, with the results displayed in the lower pane.
A key feature of this software is its capability to rapidly ping a range of IP addresses. This is achieved by navigating to the IP Range Ping tab and specifying the starting and ending IP addresses of the desired range. For instance, knowing my home network operates within the 1.100 to 1.200 subnet, scanning this range provides a comprehensive view of all connected devices – a swift method for network inventory!

The ping results are automatically saved as text files within the "Results" subdirectory of the program’s installation directory. This facilitates convenient review of historical ping data, particularly when scheduled monitoring is implemented – a feature I will demonstrate shortly.

Furthermore, the target doesn’t need to be limited to devices within your local network. The software can also be utilized to monitor the availability of external websites. An additional benefit is the ability to trace the ping path, revealing the sequence of hops across your network from one IP address to another, including switches and gateway servers.
Alternatively, when monitoring websites, you can visualize the complete path of IP hops your computer traverses when accessing a specific URL. These results can often be surprising, illustrating the numerous systems involved in Internet traffic flow during web browsing.

Automated, recurring checks of IP addresses or URLs can be configured by clicking the "Auto tasks" button.

This opens a configuration window where you can define the ping frequency. As an example, I am configuring the software to ping TopSecretWriters (the URL entered previously) every 30 minutes.

The scheduling options are versatile, allowing pings to be executed at specific times daily, or at intervals ranging from minutes to weeks or months. You can also customize the number of ping retries and the wait time between them. Logging results to a file is also possible; I recommend the CSV format for its compatibility with other programs and scripting tools.

To monitor multiple IP addresses, click "Add" under the list of pages on the main screen. You can rename each page for better organization by entering a new name in the designated field and clicking "Rename". Each page or IP address can have its own unique settings, allowing you to tailor the frequency and ping parameters to the specific device being monitored. Some devices may only require weekly checks, while websites might benefit from more frequent monitoring every 15 to 30 minutes.

Once configured, you can minimize the Ping Manager window; it will continue running in the taskbar. Provided your computer (or a dedicated server) remains powered on, it will persistently monitor all specified IP addresses and URLs according to your defined schedules.

I appreciate the automated nature of utilities like Ping Manager, as it simplifies network monitoring and allows me to focus on reviewing output reports for potential issues. It proves particularly useful when troubleshooting devices prone to frequent failures, potentially revealing patterns in network connectivity disruptions. Ping Manager adds a valuable tool to your LAN management toolkit, even when network troubleshooting presents challenges.
We encourage you to try Ping Manager and share your experiences. Do you prefer a graphical user interface for network device checks over command-line tools? Share your thoughts and insights in the comments below.
Image Credit: Group of IT Professionals via Shutterstock
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