7.2.11

• Data packet


  A unit of data made into a single package that travels along a given network path
• Structure of a network packet

  • Header
  • Payload
  • Trailer
• Header


  Contains instructions about the data carried by the packet, including length, synchronisation, packet number, protocol, destination address, and originating address
• Payload


  The actual data that the packet is delivering to the destination, also called the body or data of a packet
• Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC)


  A technique used to detect errors in digital data, producing a fixed-length data set based on the build of a file or larger data set
• CRC


  • Has a hash function that deletes accidental changes to raw computer data, commonly used in digital telecommunications networks and storage-devices
• Packet Switching


  The transfer of small pieces of data (packets) across various networks
• Packet Loss


  When packets bounce from router to router before reaching their destinated IP address, leading to poor network performance
• Causes of Packet Loss

  1. Network congestion

  2. Electrical interference causing packet corruption

  3. Inefficiency or failure of a component carrying data across a network

  4. High Latency

  5. Spacing of packets being delivered resulting in timing issues

  6. Damaged or slow cables
• Network Collision Detection


  When two sets of data are transmitted on the network simultaneously, the network detects the error and each computer waits a random amount of time then tries to send the packet again