What is the purpose of the command "traceroute"?

The command "traceroute" is primarily used to trace the path that packets take from the source to the destination across a network. When this command is executed, it sends packets with incremental time-to-live (TTL) values, allowing it to discover each hop along the route. This provides a detailed view of all the intermediate devices, such as routers, that the packets traverse, along with the time it takes for each segment of the journey.

This capability is essential for network troubleshooting because it helps identify where delays or packet loss might be occurring along the path. By analyzing the output of a traceroute, a network administrator can pinpoint the specific segment of the network that may be causing problems, making it a valuable tool for ensuring efficient network performance and diagnosing connectivity issues.