What identifies active IP addresses while another identifies types of communication occurring on the network?

The correct response is that ping sweeping identifies active IP addresses, while port scanning identifies the types of communication occurring on the network.

Ping sweeping involves sending ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) echo requests to a range of IP addresses to determine which ones are responding. This technique helps in mapping the network and discovering which devices are active. Essentially, if a device at a specific IP address replies to the ping, it is considered "active."

On the other hand, port scanning is a method used to identify open ports and services available on a networked device. By sending requests to various ports on an IP address, a scanner can determine what types of communications (like HTTP, FTP, SSH, etc.) are occurring on those ports, which provides insight into the running services and potential vulnerabilities in the network.

In this context, the combination of these two methods is crucial for both network management and security assessments, making them integral components of network monitoring and vulnerability detection strategies.