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A computer packet is a small, formatted unit of data that is sent across a network, with large amounts of data broken down into smaller packets for efficient transmission. Each packet contains two main parts: a header with control information like source and destination addresses, and a payload with the actual data being sent. When packets arrive, they are reassembled by the receiving device to reconstruct the original data.

Components of a packet

Header: Contains control information needed to route the packet, such as the source and destination IP addresses, packet length, and sequencing details.

Payload: This is the actual data being transmitted, which could be a small piece of a larger file, an email, or a segment of a video stream.

Trailer (or Footer): Often includes error-checking information to ensure the packet was not corrupted during transmission.