A Protocol Data Unit (PDU) is a unit of data specified in a protocol of a given layer of the OSI model. Each layer has its own PDU: at the Application layer, it's called a message; at the Transport layer, it's a segment (or datagram in UDP); at the Network layer, it's a packet; at the Data Link layer, it's a frame; and at the Physical layer, it's a bit or symbol. These PDUs help in managing and encapsulating data as it traverses through the layers of the OSI model.
The PDU at the Network layer is referred to as a packet. A PDU at the Data Link Layer is referred to as a frame.
The Layer for the TCP Protocol Data Unit (PDU) is called the Transport Layer. In the OSI model, the Transport Layer is responsible for end-to-end communication, ensuring reliable data transfer, error correction, and flow control. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) operates at this layer, providing a connection-oriented service for transmitting data between applications.
In networking, PDU means "protocol data unit", and it is the generic name of the "packets" of data used at different levels of the network. Using the numbering of the OSI layers: At layer 2, the PDUs are called "frame". Example: An Ethernet frame, a frame-relay frame. At layer 3, the PDUs are called "packets". Example: An IP packet. At layer 4, the PDUs are called "segments". Example: A TCP segment, a UDP segment.
Datagrams TCP/IP layer 4 PDU's are called segments...
The term that refers to stripping header information as a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) is passed from one layer to a higher layer is "decapsulation." During this process, the headers added by the lower layers are removed, allowing the data to be passed up to the appropriate layer for processing. This is a fundamental aspect of the OSI model and network communication.
The PDU (protocol data unit) @ transport layer (e.g. TCP or UDP) is called as 'segment' .
The Layer 3 Protocol Data Unit (PDU) is commonly referred to as a packet. In the OSI model, Layer 3 corresponds to the Network layer, which is responsible for routing data between devices across different networks. The packet contains not only the payload (the actual data being transmitted) but also essential header information, such as source and destination IP addresses, that helps in directing the packet through the network.
Frames
A PDU (Protocol Data Unit) is defined by which layer it is in. In the physical layer and network layer, it is synonymous with the packet, in the data link layer, it is the frame. In the transport layer, it is a datagram for UDP. A datagram holds one or more PDU's, as it is the basic unit of transferring information via packet switching.
Segements
In the OSI model, encapsulation occurs as data is passed down through the layers. At the Application layer (Layer 7), data is created and then passed to the Presentation layer (Layer 6) for formatting. The Session layer (Layer 5) manages sessions, while the Transport layer (Layer 4) adds headers for segmentation and reliability. As data moves down to the Network layer (Layer 3), it receives IP addressing, followed by the Data Link layer (Layer 2), which adds MAC addressing and framing, and finally, the Physical layer (Layer 1) transmits the raw bits over the physical medium. Each layer adds its own header (and sometimes footer) to the data, forming a protocol data unit (PDU) specific to that layer.