What protocol is used for Ping?

Ping uses the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) to send echo request messages to a target host and receive echo replies. This protocol is part of the Internet Protocol suite and is primarily used for diagnostic or error-reporting purposes. When a ping command is issued, ICMP packets are generated, which include the necessary information to determine whether the target host is reachable and how long it takes for data packets to travel to the host and back.

The use of ICMP allows for a straightforward and effective way to check network connectivity, measure latency, and analyze routing paths across the Internet or a local network. The simplicity of ICMP makes it an ideal choice for basic network testing, as it requires minimal overhead and provides clear results.

In the context of the other options, DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is used for dynamically assigning IP addresses to devices on a network, while TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and IP (Internet Protocol) are fundamental protocols for data transmission and routing. However, none of these options are involved in the specific functionality of the ping command, which relies on ICMP to operate.