In which scenario would you run the command `ping`?

Running the command ping is primarily used to check if a server is reachable over the network. When ping is executed, it sends Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) echo request packets to the target server and listens for echo replies. If the server is reachable, it responds to these packets, indicating that it is online and capable of communication. The response time can also provide insight into the network latency to that server.

This tool is essential for network troubleshooting as it allows administrators to quickly ascertain the status of a server or network device. If there are no responses received, it suggests that the server might be down or that there is a connectivity issue present between the source and the destination.

The other options listed involve different network functions and commands. For example, tracing the route to a server typically uses commands like tracert or traceroute, while flushing the DNS cache is done with commands such as ipconfig /flushdns. Viewing routing table information involves using commands like route print or similar, depending on the operating system. Therefore, the scenario where ping is appropriately utilized is specifically for determining whether a server or network device is reachable, making it the correct choice in this context.