A ping gets sent to the entered network address periodically. With this service devices can also be checked that do not enable direct connections, such as Routers. Furthermore, additional devices can be monitored whose connections are rather stateless (UPD, OSC, ArtNet). However, a ping does not give any information whether a receiver software, like a Media Server, is still active but only if the corresponding network card is still responding. In connection with a Watchdog, a ping can also be used for monitoring, like an active connection.