size of a "packet"

[namsilat]

On my desktop the connection status to the cable modem shows that XYZ
number of packets have been sent and received over 123 time frame. How
many bytes exactly are a packet in this context?

 

[Ross Durie]

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=183437

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

On my desktop the connection status to the cable modem shows that XYZ
number of packets have been sent and received over 123 time frame. How
many bytes exactly are a packet in this context?

Take a look at the following article for XP.

HOW TO: Change the Default Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) Size Settings for
PPP Connections or for VPN Connections:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=826159

 

[Steve N.]

On my desktop the connection status to the cable modem shows that XYZ
number of packets have been sent and received over 123 time frame. How
many bytes exactly are a packet in this context?

Depends on protocols in use and applications using them. I've read that
the standard IP packet is 576 Bytes but I've seen them as low as 64 Bytes.

If you want to take a close look at them you can use a protocol
analyzing program such as Ethereal:

www.ethereal.com

Steve