Timeline (History) Graphing


The timeline (history) graphing feature of MultiPing is one of the more powerful and unique aspects of the program.

Timeline graphs allow you to see performance over time, and to compare performance of multiple targets for a period, including latency and packet loss.

By default, MultiPing will automatically add a time graph for every manually entered target.  If you load from a file, these targets are not added automatically (as there could be a significant number of targets that would interfere with the user interface).  If you want to show or hide any specific graph, you can do so by double-clicking the target in the upper graph, or by right-clicking the target in either the upper graph, or the floating graph (if it's already visible and you want to hide it).

Focusing and zooming

Once pinging, each sample will be recorded on the timeline graph.  The amount of data displayed on the graph can be changed by right-clicking on the timeline graph and then selecting the amount of time you want displayed.  This scale affects ALL timeline graphs that are docked in MultiPing, and is saved when you shut down Ping Plotter.  Any floating graphs use their own independent time period.

If there is more data collected than you can show on the timeline graph with your selected scale, click on the graph and while holding down your mouse button, then drag the graph.  This will allow you to move back in history and examine the samples.

If you find a time period that looks "interesting", you can double click on the timeline graph at that point.  The upper graph (the trace graph) will move to that time period (this only applies to the timegraphs that are docked in the MultiPing window - Floating graphs do not change the focus).  This allows you to troubleshoot where the connection problem may have occurred.  Keep in mind that the upper graph always focuses in on the number of samples in "Samples to include".  If you have that set to ALL, then the upper graph can't zoom in on any piece of the graph.

It may be that you see a problem period in the 48 hour graph.  Double-click on that period, and the upper graph will focus on that period.  You can then change your timeline graph scale, and the lower graphs will try to stay focused on the time period you selected.  This makes it easy to see details about a specific period.

When you're done zooming the graph, right-click on it and select "Reset focus to current".  This will return both graphs (the timeline and the upper ping graph) to the current time.

Because MultiPing takes so little CPU time when running, you can set it up to ping continuously and then occasionally look back at the collected data for interesting periods.

Shortcut keys and other tips

You can also use the keyboard to scroll.  To scroll with the keyboard, select the timeline graph and use one of the following keys:

ALT-HOME                scroll to the beginning of the collected data

ALT-END                scroll to the end of the collected data

ALT-LEFT                scroll back in time (about 5% of the graph width)

ALT-RIGHT                scroll forward in time

ALT-PGUP                scroll back in time (about ½ of the graph width)

ALT-PGDN                scroll forward in time

If you're using a mouse with a scroll wheel, select a time graph and then use the scroll wheel to move forward and backwards in time.  Holding the CTRL key while scrolling with the mouse wheel will change the time scale (this can also be depressing the mouse wheel while scrolling).