Which type of network administrator task involves monitoring network activity?

Monitoring network activity is a crucial responsibility of a network administrator as it helps ensure the security and efficiency of the network. This task involves analyzing the data flowing through the network to detect any unusual patterns, which could indicate security breaches, unauthorized access, or other irregular activities. By continuously monitoring for unusual traffic, administrators can respond quickly to potential threats and maintain the integrity of the network.

In contrast, setting up hardware involves the physical installation and configuration of networking devices, while assigning software licenses pertains to managing the legal usage rights of software applications within the organization. Installing operating systems, on the other hand, refers to loading and configuring operating systems on devices rather than directly monitoring the network's operational status. Each of these tasks is important, but they do not focus on the ongoing surveillance and analysis of network traffic that is essential for identifying anomalies and maintaining network health.