Tracert utilizes which two commands and IP fields for its operation?

Tracert, short for "trace route," is a network diagnostic tool used to track the pathway that packets of information take to reach their destination. It utilizes two key commands and certain IP fields to accomplish this task.

The correct answer involves the commands "Ping" and the IP field "TTL" (Time to Live). The Ping command is integral for checking the connectivity to a specific IP address, while TTL is a crucial field in the IP header that helps Tracert determine the number of hops (intermediate devices) the packet travels through before reaching its destination.

When Tracert sends packets, it starts with a TTL of 1 and increases the value with each successive packet sent. Each router along the path decrements the TTL by 1; when the TTL reaches zero, the router discards the packet and sends back an ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) message indicating that the time has expired. This process allows Tracert to map out each hop along the route, providing valuable information about the path and potential latency or failures.

Thus, the combination of utilizing Ping for connectivity checks and relying on the TTL value to gauge the route is essential to how Tracert operates effectively.