Network scanning is the process of identifying active devices on a computer network. It involves sending requests to various IP addresses to discover which devices are connected and what services they are running. This helps network administrators manage resources and identify potential security vulnerabilities. There are different types of network scanning techniques, such as ping scanning and port scanning. Ping scanning checks if devices are reachable, while port scanning examines open ports on a device to determine which services are available. Both methods are essential for maintaining network security and performance.