What is data sent through a network referred to?

Data sent through a network is referred to as 'packets' because it is the standardized format used for data transmission over networks, especially in packet-switched networks like the Internet. When data is sent over a network, it gets broken down into smaller chunks called packets to facilitate efficient transmission and to ensure that each piece can be routed independently.

Each packet contains not only the actual data being sent but also metadata, such as the sender's and receiver's IP addresses, and sequencing information, which helps the receiving device reassemble the data in the correct order once it has arrived. This method of breaking down data into packets allows for better management of network resources and enhances error handling, as packets that are lost in transmission can be retransmitted without needing to resend the entire message.

In contrast, while terms like 'messages,' 'segments,' and 'frames' are relevant in network communications, they refer to different levels of data structure or protocols. Messages could refer to the overarching data being sent, segments are typically associated with the transport layer (e.g., TCP segments), and frames pertain to the data link layer (e.g., Ethernet frames). Therefore, packets is the most appropriate term to describe the data transmission at the network level.