Võrgupakett

A võrgupakett, or network packet, is a basic unit of data transmitted over a computer network. When data is sent from one device to another across a network, it is broken down into smaller, manageable chunks called packets. Each packet contains a portion of the overall data along with essential control information.

This control information, often referred to as packet headers, includes details such as the source and destination IP addresses, which identify the sending and receiving devices. It also contains information about the protocol being used (like TCP or UDP), the packet's sequence number, allowing for reassembly of the data in the correct order at the destination, and error-checking mechanisms.

The process of breaking down data into packets is known as packetization. This method offers several advantages, including efficient use of network bandwidth, as multiple packets from different sources can share the same network path. It also provides robustness; if one packet is lost or corrupted, only that specific packet needs to be retransmitted, rather than the entire message.

Upon arrival at the destination, the network interface on the receiving device collects these packets. The control information in the headers is then used to reassemble the packets into the original data. This fundamental concept of packet switching is the backbone of modern computer networks, including the internet.