af-ping, an audio frequency ping |
Linux Network Programming |
For the radio range testing on the One Laptop Per Child project, Quozl
added sound to Lars Strand's Python ping program
Now it makes a sound where the pitch is related to the time it takes
for an ICMP Echo Request packet (ping) to be returned as an Echo
Reply. By default, the pings are at about 20 times per second, set by
the length of the sound samples. Such rapid feedback makes it easier
to learn where wireless coverage is good, or bad.
It can also be used for reporting the health of an internet
connection, using the --noflood option, but the output may be
irregular because the PCM device is not being fed at the speed it
desires.
(26 July 2007)
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