[SOLVED] MTR: what "Loss %" exactly means?

matiasar · 08-04-2010, 03:47 PM

I use mtr and ping to analize certain network problems.

I wanted to know within mtr whar "Loss %" field exactly means. I'm having a problem with a dedicated link and I'm having 20% or even more "Loss %" but don't see any packet loss with ping.

Thanks in advance,
Matías

centosboy · 08-05-2010, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matiasar

I use mtr and ping to analize certain network problems.

I wanted to know within mtr whar "Loss %" field exactly means. I'm having a problem with a dedicated link and I'm having 20% or even more "Loss %" but don't see any packet loss with ping.

Thanks in advance,
Matías

The percentage loss is the percentage of packets that are lost whilst passing through the destination between hosts.
Ping might not give you this loss as it is sending the ICMP packets directly and with a higher time to live.

szboardstretcher · 08-05-2010, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matiasar

I use mtr and ping to analize certain network problems.

I wanted to know within mtr whar "Loss %" field exactly means. I'm having a problem with a dedicated link and I'm having 20% or even more "Loss %" but don't see any packet loss with ping.

Thanks in advance,
Matías

I would describe it like this: Ping is sending a small packet to the destination, upon arriving, the destination will reply.

Loss% is the percentage of these packets that do not return. In my experience, loss of packets points to bad cables, bad switches, ports or NICs.

matiasar · 08-05-2010, 11:06 AM

thanks for your replies folks.