CSUK:BrainQuest

Task 2: Explain the purpose of ‘Packet Switching’, making reference to the

TCP/IP protocols.
Task 1: Annotate the features of the following diagram, explaining what each
aspect of the data packet is for.

Data: Destination Address:

The main purpose of a data packet A data packet needs a destination address so that it can be
is to hold data – therefore this is the routed to the correct location. This will be the IP address
data packet’s data. of the destination node.

Sequence Number:
As data is split into packets, the sequence number
allows the file to be rebuilt by putting the packets
back together in the correct order.
Packet Switching
Packet switching ensures that data gets to its destination as fast as possible –
this may not be the shortest distance, however.
The following shows the process of packet switching:
1. A file is split into data packets, according to the TCP protocol.
2. Routers follow the IP rules (according to the IP protocol) and direct
data packets towards their destination.
3. Due to network traffic, packet switching may occur where the
Return Address:
When data arrives, the computer which sent the packets may take different routes and be directed to other routers
data can be notified that it arrived safely. And if a before arriving at the destination (governed by the TCP protocol)
packet arrives corrupted, the computer which
sent the data can be asked to send it again. 4. If the packets are in the wrong order, the packet number can be used
to reorder them back into the original file.

Error Check:
This aspect of the packet is a ‘checksum number’. A checksum is made up of a
calculation and its correct answer. Once the packet has been received by the
destination computer, If the calculation is run and still produces the correct
answer, then we know the data hasn’t been corrupted on its journey.
Wires, WiFi and Protocols - ANSWERS

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