| data packet
Although your computer and modem can
send data one character at a time, when you're surfing the Internet,
downloading files, or sending email, it's more efficient to send
information in larger blocks called data packets. Modems generally send
packets of around 64 characters along with some extras for error checking.
When downloading files using a protocol like Xmodem, however, the packets
are larger. And when using Internet protocols such as TCP/IP, the packets
are larger still--around 1,500 characters. |