Množina: packets

1. A unit of information transmitted as a whole from one device to another on a network.
2. In packet-switching networks, a transmission unit of fixed maximum size that consists of binary digits representing both data and a header containing an identification number, source and destination addresses, and sometimes error-control data. See also packet switching.

Množina: packets

ETYM French paquet, dim. from Late Lat. paccus, from the same source as Eng. pack. Related to Pack.
1. A small package or bundle.
2. A number of letters dispatched at one time; a small group, cluster, or mass.
3. A passenger boat usually carrying mail and cargo.
4. (British) A pack of cigarettes.
5. The unit of data sent across a packet switching network. The term is used loosely.

Pack into packets.

Množina: packet assembler and disassemblers

See packet assembler/disassembler.

Množina: packet delivery networks

Množina: packet filterings

A mechanism that blocks packets based on a list of pre-determined rules.
Firewalls will often incorporate filters that allow or deny users the ability to enter or leave a local area network. Packet filtering is also used to accept or reject packets such as e-mail, based on the origin of the packet, to ensure security on a private network.

Množina: packet floodings

A technique employed in a number of DoS (denial of service) attacks in which a flood of packets of data are sent to a target server, overwhelming the computer and rendering it unable to respond to legitimate network requests. Examples of specific types of packet flooding include smurf attacks and SYN flood attacks. See also DoS, packet, smurf attack, SYN flood.

Množina: packet headers

The portion of a data packet that precedes the body (data). The header contains data, such as source and destination addresses and control and timing information, that is needed for successful transmission.

Množina: Packet Internet Gropers

See ping(definition 1).

Množina: packet modifications

Modifying information stored in network packets.
Packet modification is a technique used by attackers to gain control of target systems and networks. In a typical scenario, an attacker eavesdropping on a connection hijacks the session and then modifies information contained in session packets for malicious purposes. The best defense against such attacks is usually to encrypt all network traffic using Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) or some similar mechanism.
See Also: eavesdropping, hijacking, Internet Protocol Security (IPSec)

Množina: packet replays

Capturing and resending packets on a network.
Packet replay is a technique used by attackers to gain control of a communication session. The method typically involves capturing and recording traffic between two hosts, analyzing the packets and possibly modifying some of them, and then sending the captured packets back into the data stream to hijack sessions or perform other malicious actions. Packet replay is often employed to crack authentication sequences by enabling attackers to replay captured packets to become authenticated by the unsuspecting host or network.

Množina: packet sniffers

A hardware and/or software device that examines every packet sent across a network. To work, a packet sniffer must be installed in the same network block as the network it is intended to sniff. Designed as a problem-solving tool to isolate problems degrading network performance, packet sniffers have become security risks on some networks because crackers can use them to capture nonencrypted user IDs, passwords, credit card numbers, e-mail addresses, and other confidential information. See also cracker, packet. Compare monitoring software.

Množina: packet switchings

A message-delivery technique in which small units of information (packets) are relayed through stations in a computer network along the best route available between the source and the destination. A packet-switching network handles information in small units, breaking long messages into multiple packets before routing. Although each packet may travel along a different path, and the packets composing a message may arrive at different times or out of sequence, the receiving computer reassembles the original message correctly. Packet-switching networks are considered to be fast and efficient. To manage the tasks of routing traffic and assembling/disassembling packets, such a network requires some intelligence from the computers and software that control delivery. The Internet is an example of a packet-switching network. Standards for packet switching on networks are documented in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) recommendation X.25. Compare circuit switching.
A method of transmitting units of data (called packets) through a mesh network. There is no physical circuit established between end points; instead, each packet is individually relayed from one switching node to the next, and individual packets may take different routes through the switching node.
In computing, a method of transmitting data between computers connected in a network. A complete packet consists of the data being transmitted and information about which computer is to receive the data. The packet travels around the network until it reaches the correct destination. packet-switching

Množina: Packet Switching Exchanges

An intermediary switching station in a packet-switching network.

Množina: packet switching networks