packetizing

Packetizing is the process of dividing a continuous data stream into discrete units called packets for transmission over a network. Each packet carries a header with routing and control information and a payload containing part of the original data. Packetizing enables efficient use of network resources, error handling, and multiplexing of multiple data streams over shared links. The term is used across networking, multimedia streaming, and data storage contexts.

In computer networks, packetizing interacts with the network's maximum transmission unit (MTU). Packet sizes are chosen to fit the path MTU to minimize fragmentation. Some protocols implement segmentation at the transport layer (for example, TCP segments) or at the network layer (IP datagrams). When a packet exceeds the MTU, routers may fragment it or use path MTU discovery to avoid fragmentation.

In multimedia and streaming applications, packetizing involves encapsulating encoded audio or video frames into packets and attaching timing and sequencing information. Packetization supports jitter tolerance, loss recovery, and multiplexing of multiple streams (such as audio, video, and control data) over a single connection. Different codecs and transport protocols define their own packetization formats and headers.

At the receiver, packets are buffered and reassembled in order. Missing packets can cause gaps in playback or data loss, depending on the protocol. Protocols built on TCP rely on retransmission, while UDP-based protocols use error concealment and forward error correction to maintain continuity. Effective packetizing balances overhead, latency, and reliability for the intended application.