“Data Sent” refers to the process of transmitting information or packets from a source device to a destination device over a network. This can be any kind of information, such as text, images, audio, or video, that is packaged into data packets for transmission.
In the context of network communication:
- Packet Creation: Data is broken down into smaller packets suitable for transmission. Each packet contains not just the data but also metadata, like source and destination addresses, to guide it to the right place.
- Transmission: Once the data is packaged into packets, it is sent across the network using various transmission mediums like wired cables (Ethernet) or wireless signals (Wi-Fi, cellular networks).
- Routing: If the destination device is on a different network or subnet, the data packets may pass through multiple routers and network devices. These devices determine the best path for the data to reach its destination.
- Reception: The destination device receives the packets and acknowledges the receipt if a reliable protocol like TCP is being used.
- Reassembly: Once all packets have been received, the data is reassembled in the correct order to reconstruct the original message or file.
It’s essential for systems to have a method of ensuring that data has been sent successfully, especially in networks where there’s potential for data loss or corruption. This is typically managed using protocols like TCP, which provide mechanisms for acknowledgment, retransmission of lost packets, and error checking.