A traceroute is a network diagnostic tool used to map the route that data packets take from a source to a destination on the Internet. It helps identify the routers or network devices that the data passes through and measures the round-trip time between each hop.

The tool then sends a series of packets, each with an incrementing time-to-live (TTL) value, allowing it to record the path taken. The output provides valuable insights into network latency and potential issues, aiding in troubleshooting and optimizing network performance.

Follow-up Question: Can you explain a scenario where you used a traceroute to identify and resolve a network issue, and what steps did you take based on the information obtained from the traceroute results?

Answer: we experienced network latency affecting communication with a critical server. Using traceroute, I identified that the latency was occurring at a specific hop in the route. By analyzing the traceroute results, I determined that there was a bottleneck at an intermediary router.

Subsequently, I collaborated with the network team to investigate and address the issue. We optimized the routing path, implemented Quality of Service (QoS) measures, and significantly improved the network performance, ensuring smoother communication with the server.