In modern packet-switched networks, including the Internet, the source host
segments long, application-layer messages (for example, an image or a music
file) into smaller packets and sends the packets into the network. The receiver
then reassembles the packets back into the original message. We refer to
this process as message segmentation. Figure 1.27 illustrates the end-to-end
transport of a message with and without message segmentation. Consider a
message that is 8 # 106
bits long that is to be sent from source to destination
in Figure 1.27. Suppose each link in the figure is 2 Mbps. Ignore propagation,
queuing, and processing delays.
a. Consider sending the message from source to destination without message
segmentation. How long does it take to move the message from the source
host to the first packet switch? Keeping in mind that each switch uses
store-and-forward packet switching, what is the total time to move the
message from source host to destination host?
b. Now suppose that the message is segmented into 800 packets, with each
packet being 10,000 bits long. How long does it take to move the first
packet from source host to the first switch? When the first packet is being
sent from the first switch to the second switch, the second packet is being
sent from the source host to the first switch. At what time will the second
packet be fully received at the first switch?
c. How long does it take to move the file from source host to destination
host when message segmentation is used? Compare this result with your
answer in part (a) and comment.
d. In addition to reducing delay, what are reasons to use message
segmentation?
e. Discuss the drawbacks of message segmentation.