The nmap command is used to initiate a network scan with Nmap. It can perform various tasks, including:
- Host Discovery: Identifying active devices on a network.
- Port Scanning: Checking which ports on a target are open, closed, or filtered.
- Service Detection: Determining what services are running on open ports, including their versions.
- OS Detection: Identifying the operating system of the target device.
- Network Mapping: Creating a visual representation of the network layout.
The command can be customized with various options and flags to specify the type of scan, the target(s), and the output format. For example, running nmap localhost scans the local machine for open ports and services.
