What is the best way to track network latency and identify routing issues using tools like ping, traceroute, and MTR?

Table of Contents

• What Is End-to-End Network Analysis?
• What Is Ping and How to Use It?
• What Is Traceroute?
• What Is MTR (My Traceroute)?
• Comparing Ping, Traceroute, and MTR
• Tips for Accurate End-to-End Network Testing
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In network troubleshooting, understanding how data travels across the internet is crucial. Whether you're diagnosing slow connections, packet loss, or unusual delays, tools like ping, traceroute, and MTR offer essential insights into network paths and latency points. This blog explains how to use these tools effectively for end-to-end network analysis.

What Is End-to-End Network Analysis?

End-to-end network analysis is the process of tracking data from the source (your device or server) to its destination (another device or server). It helps identify:

• Latency (delay in data transmission)

  
  

• Packet loss

• Route changes or instability

• Intermediate hops causing delays or drops

This form of analysis is critical in environments where uptime, speed, and performance are essential—such as cloud applications, gaming, VoIP, or enterprise systems.

What Is Ping and How to Use It?

What Is Ping?

Ping is a basic network utility that sends Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) echo requests to a host and waits for a reply. It measures:

• Round-trip time (RTT)

• Packet loss

• Network availability

How to Use Ping:

On Windows/macOS/Linux terminal:

ping 

Example:

ping google.com

Output Explained:

• Time (ms): The round-trip latency.

• Packets sent/received/lost: Detects packet loss.

• TTL (Time to Live): Indicates how many hops the packet can take.

When to Use Ping:

• Test basic connectivity.

• Check if a host is reachable.

• Detect packet loss or spikes in response time.

What Is Traceroute?

What Is Traceroute (tracert on Windows)?

Traceroute maps the path data takes from your computer to a destination server. It identifies all routers (hops) in the path and the time it takes to reach each.

How to Use Traceroute:

• On Windows:

tracert 

• On Linux/macOS:

traceroute 

Example:

traceroute google.com

Output Explained:

• Hop number: Each router on the path.

• IP address: Of the router/hop.

• Latency times (ms): Typically three per hop to show delay.

When to Use Traceroute:

• Identify where delays are occurring in a network.

• Spot network congestion or dropped routes.

• Troubleshoot unreachable destinations.

What Is MTR (My Traceroute)?

What Is MTR?

MTR combines the functionality of ping and traceroute in real-time. It shows a live, continuously updating list of all hops between your device and a destination.

How to Use MTR:

On Linux/macOS (install if needed):

mtr 

On Windows (WinMTR GUI or WSL):

winmtr 

Example:

mtr google.com

Output Explained:

• Loss%: Packet loss at each hop.

• Sent/Recv: Number of packets sent/received.

• Last/Avg/Best/Worst: Latency stats.

• StDev: Latency stability.

When to Use MTR:

• For ongoing latency monitoring.

• To detect intermittent connectivity issues.

• To analyze both outbound and return path delays.

Comparing Ping, Traceroute, and MTR

Tips for Accurate End-to-End Network Testing

• Run multiple tests at different times to avoid transient issues.

• Use MTR or WinMTR for real-time, long-term analysis.

• Watch for hops with high latency or packet loss—they’re likely bottlenecks.

• Keep in mind some routers de-prioritize ICMP, which may look like packet loss but isn’t.

Conclusion

Ping, traceroute, and MTR are foundational tools for any network engineer or cybersecurity analyst. When used together, they help pinpoint issues across the network path—enabling quicker resolution and better user experience.

Whether you're debugging a slow website, verifying a VPN tunnel, or troubleshooting VoIP calls, mastering these tools empowers you to see the invisible layers of the internet.

FAQs

What is ping used for in network diagnostics?

Ping checks the reachability of a host and measures the round-trip time of packets sent from your system to that host.

What is the difference between traceroute and ping?

Ping only tests connectivity and latency, while traceroute shows the actual route your packets take to the destination and identifies any network hops.

What does MTR do that traceroute doesn’t?

MTR combines the functionality of both ping and traceroute by continuously probing the route and displaying real-time latency and packet loss.

How do I run traceroute on Windows?

Open Command Prompt and type tracert [destination], then press Enter.

How do I run traceroute on Linux or macOS?

Open Terminal and type traceroute [destination].

What’s the command for MTR in Linux?

Use mtr [destination] in the terminal (you may need to install the MTR package first).

Why is traceroute showing timeouts?

Timeouts usually indicate that a router along the path is dropping or blocking ICMP packets or is too busy to respond.

Can ping detect packet loss?

Ping can detect some packet loss if multiple requests time out, but it doesn't provide hop-by-hop details like MTR does.

Why is MTR better for continuous analysis?

MTR provides a live view of network conditions, showing latency and loss per hop in real time.

What does high latency in MTR mean?

It indicates a delay between hops, possibly due to congestion or routing issues on that segment of the network.

Can I use MTR on Windows?

Yes, WinMTR is a Windows-compatible version of MTR that provides a graphical interface.

Is ping affected by firewalls?

Yes, some networks or firewalls block ICMP (ping) traffic, which can cause ping requests to fail.

What is a hop in traceroute or MTR?

Each hop represents a router or intermediate device between your system and the destination.

Why is ping useful before using other tools?

Ping helps determine if the host is reachable, saving time before deeper diagnostics like traceroute or MTR.

How can these tools help resolve slow internet?

They help identify if the problem lies in your local network, ISP, or beyond—making targeted troubleshooting easier.

What does packet loss indicate?

Packet loss suggests issues like congestion, hardware failure, or poor routing between nodes.

What is a TTL in ping and traceroute?

Time To Live (TTL) is a value that limits how many hops a packet can take before being discarded. It's used by traceroute to map the path.

How do I analyze MTR results?

Look at the %Loss and Avg latency columns to identify where the packets are being delayed or dropped.

Can these tools help with DNS issues?

They can help indirectly by testing whether DNS-resolved IPs are reachable and how the packets travel to them.

Is there a GUI for these tools?

Yes, tools like PingPlotter and WinMTR offer graphical interfaces for easier interpretation.

Are there online alternatives to traceroute or MTR?

Yes, websites like Ping.pe or Traceroute.org offer web-based diagnostic tools.

What protocol does ping use?

Ping uses the ICMP protocol to send Echo Request and Echo Reply packets.

Can I traceroute to a website URL?

Yes, traceroute works with both domain names and IP addresses.

What’s the difference between tracert and traceroute?

Tracert is the Windows version; traceroute is the Unix-based version.

Can I use these tools on mobile?

Yes, apps like PingTools and Fing offer similar functionality on Android and iOS.

What is the first step in network troubleshooting?

Start with ping to check basic connectivity, then move to traceroute or MTR for detailed routing analysis.

Why is my ping high but no packet loss?

This may indicate temporary congestion or long routing paths, not necessarily a broken connection.

What is round-trip time in ping?

It’s the total time for a packet to go to the destination and back to your device.

What are typical ping times for local and global servers?

Local servers: 1–30 ms; Global servers: 50–150+ ms depending on distance and congestion.

What permissions are needed to run MTR?

Root or administrator privileges may be needed for advanced features like TCP-based tests.

Can I export MTR results?

Yes, MTR allows exporting reports in plain text or CSV format for sharing or analysis.