Which MS-DOS command-line utility is the quickest way to check if a computer is connected to a TCP/IP network?

The choice of Ping as the correct answer is rooted in its specific function as a network diagnostic tool. The Ping command is designed to test the reachability of a host on an Internet Protocol (IP) network. By sending Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) Echo Request messages to the target IP address and waiting for a corresponding Echo Reply, Ping provides a straightforward and immediate measure of connectivity.

Furthermore, Ping is commonly used for troubleshooting network issues because it quickly indicates whether a device is online and able to communicate over the network. The response time and any packet loss shown in the results can give insight into network performance as well. For instance, if you can successfully Ping another device, you can confirm that the TCP/IP stack is functioning correctly on both the local and remote machines.

In comparison, the other utilities serve different purposes. The ARP command is used for managing the Address Resolution Protocol cache and is not a direct connectivity checker. Netstat provides information on network connections and statistics, which, while useful for more extensive diagnostics, does not directly indicate the ability to connect to a network as quickly as Ping. Tracert traces the path that packets take to reach a destination, which is more about understanding the route rather than simply checking connectivity. Therefore