Which of the following methods can be used to troubleshoot communication issues?

Performing a ping test is a fundamental method for troubleshooting communication issues in a network. The ping command sends Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) Echo Request messages to a target host and waits for Echo Reply messages. If replies are received, it indicates that the target host is reachable and can communicate over the network. The round-trip time for the packets provides insights into the latency of the connection. If there is no response, it can indicate issues such as the target being down, network path problems, or firewall configurations that may be blocking ICMP traffic.

By using the ping test, network administrators can quickly ascertain whether basic connectivity exists between devices, making it an essential tool for initial diagnostics in any network troubleshooting process.