Effect of Packet Size on Transmission Time

Where -:
X (a)
1-packet
message

X (b)
2-packet
message

X (c)
5-packet
message

X (d)
10-packet
message
Header






Data





 



Header






Data





 



Header






Data





 
A B Y

Header



Data
1


 


Header



Data
2


 
Header



Data
1


 


Header



Data
2


 
Header



Data
1


 


Header



Data
2


 
A B Y

Header

1


Header

2
Header

1

Header

3
Header

2
Header

1
Header

4
Header

3
Header

2
Header

5
Header

4
Header

3

Header

5
Header

4


Header

5
A B Y

Header
1


Header
2
Header
1

Header
3
Header
2
Header
1
Header
4
Header
3
Header
2
Header
5
Header
4
Header
3
Header
6
Header
5
Header
4
Header
7
Header
6
Header
5
Header
8
Header
7
Header
6
Header
9
Header
8
Header
7
Header
10
Header
9
Header
8

Header
10
Header
9


Header
10
A B Y

This diagram demonstrates how packet size can affect throughput. a) begins with a large packet size, b) is smaller and takes less time to reach Y (time is represented on the diagram by distance from X). c) uses a smaller packet size again and is the most efficient of all (this is the optimum packet size). d) uses a packet size that is too small in comparison with the header, with a subsequent loss in efficiency.