Problem scenario
You want to see the path that network traffic takes from one server to another network endpoint. How do you find the intermediate path from the server your are on to a reachable IP address?
Solution
Use a tracing utility. If your server is running Windows, use tracert. Here is an example of how to use it: tracert 8.8.8.8
If your server is running Linux, use traceroute. Here is an example of how to use it: traceroute 8.8.8.8
For comprehending the details of TCP/IP connectivity and identifying latency (e.g., pinpointing slowness), tracing utilities such as these can be very effective.
The underlying mechanism of both of these tracing utilities is the destination is attempted to be contacted with a series of network packets. The first packet in the series has a TTL (time-to-live) setting of 1. The second in the series has a 2. The third has a three, and the subsequent packets are successively incremented. When the destination is finally reached, the tracing utility stops sending packets.
If you do not know how TTL packets work, read the following. A TTL setting of one will allow the packet to traverse one hop toward the destination IP address. A TTL setting of two will allow the packet to make two hops toward the destination IP address. A packet's TTL value is decremented with each time it traverses a device (such as a router, switch, firewall or computer). That is why a packet with a TTL setting of 1 can only make one hop. The physical length of the cables supporting the packet or the duration of the packet's life in terms of time have no affect on a packet's TTL value.
The starting TTL setting (integer value) is the maximum number of hops from the server to another discrete device (e.g., a router, a switch, a firewall, a routing computer) that the network packet can pass through. Therefore a TTL setting of one will allow the packet to make one hop to the nearest router or switch, then stop. In a tracing utility the second packet in the series will make two hops toward the destination IP address based on routing tables. If you do a traceroute or tracert for the nearest network device, the first packet will arrive at its destination and the program will end.
For more information, about tracert, see this Microsoft link. For more information about traceroute, see this link.