Practice Packet in CS Thinking
Use these practice problems to test your method after reviewing the concept explanation and worked examples.
Quick Recap
A small unit of data transmitted over a network, containing both the data payload (the actual information) and routing information in headers (source address, destination address, sequence number). Large messages are split into many packets, sent independently, and reassembled at the destination.
Sending data over a network is like sending a book by mail — you break it into chapters (packets), label each one with the destination, and reassemble at the other end.
Example 1
easyWhat is a data packet and why is data sent in packets rather than as one continuous stream?
Example 2
mediumDescribe what information a packet header contains and why each piece is needed.
Example 3
mediumA 1 MB file is split into 1000 packets. Packet 500 is lost during transmission. Describe what happens next.
Example 4
hardExplain why packets from the same file might take different routes across the internet and arrive out of order. How does the receiving computer handle this?