TRACEROUTE checks all the hosts that pass along packets
between two computers. In some cases, it can be more than
two dozen steps - and if the internet routing tables are
hosed, you cannot get there because you go in a loop.
If you are behind a firewall, and you say "trace me", this
traces the steps between PauldingNet and your firewall.
This shows the path data takes from PauldingNet,
which is not necessarily the same as the return path. What's
more, if you are sending a large transmission, it is unlikely
that all packets will take the same route every time.
You might use traceroute to determine whether a hosting
company is near the backbone or far from it; if you are in
the electronic boondocks, users will have more difficulty
getting fast service from your website.
Traceroute is also useful in checking to see how a spammer
is connected to the internet. Typically, the nearest one or
two steps will belong to a company directly selling services
to the spammer.