Operating System Concepts: The Fragmentation of the Network Packet - Essay Example

The Packets that are bigger than the permissible Maximum Transmission Unit, or simply MTU have to be segregated into numerous lesser packets, or fragments, to facilitate them to move all through the network. If a packet that is pertaining to be transmitted (for instance: over an Ethernet connection) is larger than that, the router that is pertaining to transmit the packet over that transmission connection will fragment the network transmission packet i.e. the router will break up the packet into lesser messages (recognized as fragments) that are very small sufficient to be sent over the network transmission channel. As the fragments come to the receiver or destination (the system /user to which they are being transmitted), that computer is able to rebuild the fragments to get back the originally transmitted data or information message, supposing that none of the messages are misplaced during transmission (LearnSoftwareProcesses, 2009)  (Silberschatz, Galvin, & Gagne, 2004) and  (Forouzan & Fegan, 2006).

In this regard, HPING2 is a tool pertaining to the network and has the capability to transmit usual TCP/IP packets as well as to show the destination or receiver’s responses similar to the ping program performed by means of ICMP responses. Additionally, the HPING2 manages fragmentation, random packets unit, and size, and is capable to transmit files that have been encapsulated by a supported set of rules known as protocols. In addition, through HPING2 we are capable to carry out as a minimum the subsequent major jobs in a network fragmentation or transmission: (HPING, 2010)

• Check firewall policy
• Sophisticated scanning of port
• Examine networking plus an operational performance by means of different packet sizes, protocols, and TOS (type of service) in addition to fragmentation.
• MTU channel discovery
• TCP/IP stack assessment

HPING2 works with an IP header bit known as the don’t fragment bit. Typically when a gateway sends a packet ahead from one network to some other by means of an MTU size that is lesser than the network transmission packet size, the packet becomes fragmented or broken into smaller pieces (known as fragments). In its place, if the Don't fragment bit is put in the IP header, the gateway will deny fragmenting the network packet, as well as will in its place transmit an ICMP error of sort Fragmentation needed however Don't fragment large position to the sender of the packet. Also, the error will refer fraction of the genuine network transmission packet, consequently, the sender has the means to recognize that it has to utilize packets through a negligible length while transmitting to a specified receiver or destination. The sender will attempt through lesser packets, if yet an ICMP error will go back, it will attempt once more by means of a lesser packet plus so on, until the leaving packets will be lesser enough to make sure that no fragmentation will take place (HPING2, 2004).