{"id":4968,"date":"2012-08-30T15:12:08","date_gmt":"2012-08-30T15:12:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/data-packet\/"},"modified":"2024-08-15T15:56:10","modified_gmt":"2024-08-15T15:56:10","slug":"data-packet","status":"publish","type":"definition","link":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/6751\/data-packet","title":{"rendered":"Data Packet"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is Data Packet?<\/span><\/h2>\n

A data packet<\/a> is a unit of data<\/a> formatted into a single package that travels from one device<\/a> to another along a network<\/a> path, such as the Internet<\/a>. Data packets are used in Internet Protocol<\/a> (IP) transmissions, often part of the TCP\/IP suite<\/a>, for data that travels across the Web<\/a> and other kinds of networks.<\/p>\n

In digital<\/a> communications, data packets enable the transmission of information<\/a> by breaking raw data down into smaller, manageable units \u2013 or chunks<\/a> \u2013 before they travel along a network from one device to another. When the data packets reach their destination, also known as the endpoint<\/a>, they are reassembled to make the data readable.<\/p>\n

Data packets use various transmission protocols<\/a> depending on the network and the type of communication. To provide more conventional and consistent data packet transmission across networks, various groups have established standardized transmission protocols.<\/p>\n

For example, the International Organization for Standardization<\/a> (ISO) developed the Open Systems Interconnection<\/a> (OSI) model, which identifies specific data packet layers and maintains standards for each. These standards form the foundation for the modern use of data packets in diverse network scenarios.<\/p>\n

\"What<\/p>\n

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Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n