segmentation and reassembly

1 definition found

segmentation and reassembly - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  segmentation
  reassembly
  SAR
  segmentation and reassembly
  
     <networking> (Or "segmentation and reassembly", SAR) Breaking
     an arbitrary size packet into smaller pieces at the
     transmitter.  This may be necessary because of restrictions in
     the communications channel or to reduce latency.  The pieces
     are joined back together in the right order at the receiver
     ("reassembly").  Segmentation may be performed by a router
     when routing a packet to a network with a smaller maximum
     packet size.
  
     The term "segmentation" is used in ATM, in TCP/IP, it is
     called "fragmentation" an is performed at the IP layer
     before the "fragments" are passed to the transport layer.
  
     See for example ATM forum UNI 4.0 specification.
  
     [Better reasons?]
  
     (1999-06-14)