nping

flexible packet generation and response analysis tool

TLDR

TCP ping to port

$ nping --tcp -p [80] [target]

UDP ping

$ nping --udp -p [53] [target]

ICMP echo ping

$ nping --icmp [target]

Send multiple packets

$ nping -c [5] [target]

Set packet rate

$ nping --rate [10] [target]

TCP SYN packets

$ nping --tcp --flags syn -p [22] [target]

ARP ping (local network)

$ nping --arp [192.168.1.0/24]

Traceroute mode

$ nping --traceroute [target]

SYNOPSIS

nping [--tcp] [--udp] [--icmp] [-p port] [-c count] [options] targets

nping is a flexible packet generation and response analysis tool. It extends ping functionality to arbitrary protocol combinations.TCP mode probes ports without completing connections. SYN packets test firewall rules and service availability. Custom flag combinations test TCP stack behavior.UDP probing tests UDP services. ICMP includes various message types beyond echo requests. ARP queries resolve MAC addresses on local networks.Echo mode bounces packets through a server, useful for testing firewalls and NAT traversal. The client sends packets to the server, which returns them.Traceroute mode discovers network paths by incrementing TTL values. It works with TCP, UDP, or ICMP probes.Packet customization includes payload data, timing, and protocol options. This enables protocol research and network testing.

PARAMETERS

--tcp

TCP mode.

--udp

UDP mode.

--icmp

ICMP mode.

--arp

ARP mode.

-p PORT

Target port(s).

-c COUNT

Packet count.

--rate RATE

Packets per second.

--flags FLAGS

TCP flags (syn, ack, rst, etc.).

--ttl TTL

IP time to live.

--data-length LEN

Append random data.

--data-string STR

Append string data.

--traceroute

Traceroute mode.

-e IFACE

Network interface.

-S ADDR

Source address.

--echo-client PASS

Echo mode client.

--echo-server PASS

Echo mode server.

INSTALL

sudo apt install nmap

sudo dnf install nmap

sudo pacman -S nmap

sudo apk add nmap-nping

brew install nmap

nix profile install nixpkgs#nmap

CAVEATS

Raw sockets require root privileges. Some modes may trigger IDS alerts. Use only on authorized networks. Results depend on firewall configuration.

HISTORY

nping was developed as part of the Nmap project by Gordon Lyon (Fyodor) and contributors. It complements Nmap's port scanning with active probing capabilities.