Ethernet Data Transfer (ARM M3-Cortex to PC)
Is there anyway I could ping the device from my laptop?

Ping (via IPv4) requires ARP and that you have either manually set up IP addresses or use DHCP. There is &quot;arping&quot;, but I don't remember OTOH if there is a windows port for this tool.
Both IPv4 and IPv6 are significanly complex protocols, a bit too much for a post here. Use of exisiting libraries strongly recommended.
Wireshark exists as a networking sniffer tool.