What are packets in networking?

Packets in networking refer to small units of data that are organized for transmission over a network. They consist of bits, specifically in sequences of 1s and 0s, which are the fundamental building blocks of digital communication.

When larger files or messages are sent over the internet, they are broken down into these smaller packets to ensure efficient and reliable transmission. This segmentation allows the network to manage and route the data more easily, as smaller packets can bypass congestion and travel different paths to reach their destination. Once all packets arrive at the intended destination, they are reassembled into the original larger message.

The nature of packets as manageable chunks of data helps with error detection and recovery during transit, contributing to the overall stability of network communications. Understanding the concept of packets is essential for grasping how data is exchanged over various types of networks, including local area networks (LAN) and the Internet.