(ISC)2 Certified in Cybersecurity Practice Exam

What command may be used to determine the network path between two locations?

1. tracert

2. ping

3. arp

4. dig

The correct answer is: tracert

The command used to determine the network path between two locations is "tracert," which stands for trace route. This command is designed to trace the route that packets take from the source to a destination across an IP network. It works by sending a sequence of Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) echo request messages with increasing Time-to-Live (TTL) values, which results in each router along the path sending back an ICMP Time Exceeded message. This process allows tracert to display each hop (router) that the packet travels through, effectively mapping the route from the source to the destination. Using this command, network administrators can identify routing paths, diagnose bottlenecks, and troubleshoot network connectivity issues. It provides a clear view of the path packets take, helping to pinpoint where delays or failures might occur in the network. Other commands listed serve different purposes: "ping" is primarily used to test the reachability of a host and measure round-trip time, "arp" is used for mapping IP addresses to MAC addresses and troubleshooting local network issues, while "dig" is used for DNS lookups and retrieving DNS information about a domain. Each of these commands provides valuable information, but they do not specifically trace the hops or the network path