What is the purpose of a tcpdump?

The purpose of a tcpdump is to monitor network traffic. Tcpdump is a command-line utility that captures and analyzes packets traversing a network interface. It allows network administrators and engineers to inspect the details of various network protocols, understand traffic patterns, diagnose network issues, and debug applications by capturing live data. By examining the packet data, users can gain insights into the performance and security of the network, making it an essential tool for network analysis and troubleshooting.

Other options, such as analyzing CPU performance, managing cloud storage, or backing up data on servers, do not accurately describe the functions of tcpdump, as this tool is specifically designed for network packet analysis rather than resource management or data storage.