Packets

Networking 101: From Packets to Global Connectivity Data on the internet travels in small units called packets. Each packet has a header with addresses and control data, plus a payload with part of your message. When you send an email or load a webpage, your device splits the information into packets, sends them through many devices, and the receiving end reassembles them. Networks work in layers. The physical layer uses cables or wireless signals. The data link layer handles local networks like your home Wi‑Fi. The network layer moves packets across networks using IP addresses. The transport layer manages how data is delivered, choosing between TCP (reliable) or UDP (faster). At the top, applications like HTTP or email define what the data is for. ...

Networking Essentials: From Packets to Protocols in Everyday Language Think of a computer network as a busy city. Data moves as small mail envelopes called packets. Each packet carries a piece of your message and a label with where it should go. Protocols are the rules that tell devices how to handle those packets. Packets are tiny bundles of data. They travel over wires or wireless links from one device to another. Your home Wi‑Fi router and the modem connect you to your Internet provider, and routers forward packets toward their destination by reading the address label. This system keeps messages moving, even if the path changes along the way. ...

Networking Essentials: From Packets to Protocols Networks move data in small units called packets. Each device uses rules, or protocols, to format, address, and deliver those packets. The result is a world where emails travel, webpages load, and apps talk to each other across continents. To organize work, many people learn the OSI model with seven layers. In real life, engineers rely on the TCP/IP family, which groups functions into four layers: link, internet, transport, and application. This setup keeps things simple while staying flexible for different networks. ...