What term is used to describe any single set of binary data sent across a network link?

The term that describes any single set of binary data sent across a network link is known as a data packet. In networking, a data packet is a formatted unit of data carried by a packet-switched network. It typically consists of two main parts: the header, which contains information about the source and destination of the packet, and the payload, which contains the actual data being transmitted. This structured approach allows for efficient packaging and routing of data across diverse networks, enabling reliable communication between devices.

Data frames, while related to the transmission of data, are specific to the data link layer of the OSI model and are used primarily in local area networks to encapsulate packets for transmission. Data streams refer to sequences of data elements made available over time, rather than discrete units, and are commonly associated with continuous data flow. Data segments usually refer to pieces of data that have a specific size and function, especially in the context of transport layer protocols such as TCP, where larger messages are divided into smaller segments for transmission. However, the term that best fits the description of a singular, self-contained unit of binary data sent through a network is indeed a data packet.