Traceroute

Traceroute is a (typically Unix) TCP/IP utility which allows the user to determine the route packets are taking to a particular host. Traceroute works by increasing the "time to live" value of packets and seeing how far they get, until they reach the given destination; thus, a lengthening trail of hosts passed through is built up.

On Microsoft Windows traceoute is implemented as tracert.

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This article (or an earlier version of it) contains material from FOLDOC, used with permission.