Linux Small Knowledge Translation-"packet" (network packet)

When using a mobile phone to receive mail or visit a webpage, it is generally said that there is a "packet fee" (This is the Japanese version, in China it seems generally said "traffic fee"), even if the network is not familiar with the word "packet" (here is also the case of Japan).

So, what exactly is "packet"?

"packet" is the meaning of "small parcel". In network communication, it refers to the data that is split at the time of transmission.

When large data is transferred, it is divided into small data so that the data will not monopolize the entire network during transmission.

In practice, when more than one network communication is in progress, there will not be 1 traffic taking up the whole network, but multiple network communication is in progress at the same time.

Moreover, when the noise in the network leads to loss of data, it is necessary to resend the whole big data if the large data is transmitted directly. Split into "packet" sent, if there is an error, as long as re-send "packet" can, improve transmission efficiency.

"packet" is the basis of IP-based communication. Well, using software such as "wireshark" released in the previous period, you can view "packet" directly. You can use it to try to see the "packet" that are transmitted in your computer.

PS. Here's the Wireshark I installed on my Debian system.