What is the purpose of the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)?

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What is the purpose of the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)?

The purpose of the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) is to facilitate communication between network devices by providing error reporting, diagnostic, and control functions. ICMP is primarily used by network devices, such as routers and hosts, to send error messages and notifications about network conditions. It allows devices to communicate important information, such as unreachable destinations, network congestion, or time exceeded during packet transmission. ICMP also plays a crucial role in network troubleshooting and diagnostics, as it enables devices to exchange messages to determine network connectivity, measure round-trip times (ping), and perform path tracing (traceroute). Overall, ICMP enhances the reliability and efficiency of network communication by providing essential feedback and control mechanisms.