Pings to a Cisco router are not always consistent. In fact it seems that the busier the router is the slower the router responds to pings. Does that mean that the router is dropping traffic going through it as well. No it doesn’t. The routers primary responsibility it to route traffic (among other possible functions). Responding to pings is waayy down on the list of other things that it has on its to-do list. Check out the link below for more information on phenomenon.

Understanding the Ping and Traceroute Commands

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/iosswrel/ps1831/products_tech_note09186a00800a6057.shtml

Until next time,
TechStop (JW)