Packet segmentation

In data communications networks, packet segmentation is the process of dividing a data packet into smaller units for transmission over the network. Packet segmentation happens at layer four of the OSI model or the transport layer. Segmentation may be required when:

• The data packet is larger than the maximum transmission unit supported by the network
• The network is unreliable and it's desirable to divide the information into smaller segments to maximize the probability that each one of them can be delivered correctly to the destination