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Explain ping6 in Linux - How to ping an IPv6 address in Linux?

By IncludeHelp Last updated : October 19, 2024

In the previous post we have discussed about ping command in Linux, which is used to check connectivity (or pint an IPv4 address of node – computer which is connected to the network).

Linux ping6 Command

To ping the node (network computer) which has an IPv6 address i.e. to ping or check the connectivity under IPv6 network, ping6 command is used.

Ping6 command uses ICMPv6 ECHO_REQUEST to check network connectivity.

Linux ping6 Command Syntax

$ping6  <hostname>

Linux ping6 Command Example

$ping6  fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1
or
$ping6 host.domain.com
or
$ ping6 ipv6.google.com
or

Result When Network Reachable

If network is reachable, then output of ping command:

linux~# ping6 fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1 
PING fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1(fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1) 56 data bytes 
64 bytes from fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1: icmp_seq=1 ttl=64 time=0.033 ms 
64 bytes from fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1: icmp_seq=2 ttl=64 time=0.039 ms 
64 bytes from fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1: icmp_seq=3 ttl=64 time=0.044 ms 
64 bytes from fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1: icmp_seq=4 ttl=64 time=0.041 ms 
64 bytes from fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1: icmp_seq=5 ttl=64 time=0.043 ms 
64 bytes from fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1: icmp_seq=6 ttl=64 time=0.046 ms 
64 bytes from fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1: icmp_seq=7 ttl=64 time=0.048 ms 
64 bytes from fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1: icmp_seq=8 ttl=64 time=0.049 ms 
64 bytes from fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1: icmp_seq=9 ttl=64 time=0.046 ms 
64 bytes from fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1: icmp_seq=10 ttl=64 time=0.049 ms 
64 bytes from fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1: icmp_seq=11 ttl=64 time=0.048 ms 
64 bytes from fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1: icmp_seq=12 ttl=64 time=0.050 ms 

Result When Network Not Reachable

If network is not reachable, then output of ping command:

linux~# ping6 fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::26 
PING fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::26(fd19:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::26) 56 data bytes 
From fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1 icmp_seq=1 Destination unreachable: Address unreachable 
From fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1 icmp_seq=2 Destination unreachable: Address unreachable 
From fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1 icmp_seq=3 Destination unreachable: Address unreachable 
From fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1 icmp_seq=4 Destination unreachable: Address unreachable 
From fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1 icmp_seq=5 Destination unreachable: Address unreachable 
From fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1 icmp_seq=6 Destination unreachable: Address unreachable 
From fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1 icmp_seq=7 Destination unreachable: Address unreachable 
From fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1 icmp_seq=8 Destination unreachable: Address unreachable 
From fd18:6dc5:3dbc:ce24::1 icmp_seq=9 Destination unreachable: Address unreachable