TCP/IP basics: What is HMP (Host Monitoring Protocol) primarily used for in an internetworking context?

Introduction / Context:
Networking stacks include many protocols with specific roles. The Host Monitoring Protocol (HMP) is an older Internet protocol intended for host status monitoring. Distinguishing it from address resolution, file transfer, and control-message protocols demonstrates basic fluency with the TCP/IP suite.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• HMP is not used for data file transfer like FTP.
• HMP is not used to resolve IP to MAC addresses (that is ARP).
• HMP is not the network control message protocol (that is ICMP).

Concept / Approach:

Map each distractor to the well-known protocol that actually performs the described function. Then identify HMP by elimination and by its historical purpose as a host status monitoring protocol designed to report and query machine health or state.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Review canonical lists of TCP/IP protocols; HMP appears as a host monitoring protocol, distinct from ARP (address resolution), FTP (file transfer), and ICMP (control messages).

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

a: ARP, not HMP, performs dynamic IP-to-MAC mapping.

b: FTP/TFTP/HTTP perform file transfer, not HMP.

d: ICMP provides network diagnostics and error reporting.

e: Not applicable because c correctly states HMP’s role.

Common Pitfalls:

Confusing protocol roles due to similar acronyms; assuming any monitoring function is handled by ICMP; or believing HMP is a widely used modern protocol (it is largely historical/legacy today).

Final Answer:

A protocol used to monitor computers (host status reporting)