Which Nmap option is appropriate for performing a ping sweep?

The option that is suitable for performing a ping sweep is specified using the command format "nmap -sn 192.168.1.1/24". The "-sn" flag is specifically designed for host discovery, which means it will scan the specified range to determine which hosts are up and responding without scanning any ports on those hosts. This is the most efficient method when the goal is simply to identify active devices within a subnet, making it ideal for a ping sweep.

Other options utilize different flags or techniques. For instance, using "-sP" is an outdated option that was previously used for the same purpose, but it has been replaced by "-sn". The option "-PS" initiates a TCP SYN scan against specific ports, which is not just discovering which hosts are up but also trying to determine if those ports are open on the discovered hosts. Similarly, "-PU" involves a UDP scan for similar purposes but is not targeted for simple host discovery. Therefore, the chosen option provides a streamlined approach for ping sweeps by focusing solely on presence detection without unnecessary port scanning.