segmentation
<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)
Nearby terms:
segfault « seggie « segment « segmentation »
segmentation and reassembly » segmentation fault »
segmented address space
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