networking (Or "segmentation and reassembly", SAR) Breaking
an arbitrary size
packet into smaller pieces at the
transmitter. This may be necessary because of restrictions in
the communications channel or to reduce
latency. The pieces
are joined back together in the right order at the receiver
("reassembly"). Segmentation may be performed by a
routerwhen routing a packet to a network with a smaller maximum
packet size.
The term "segmentation" is used in
ATM, in
TCP/IP, it is
called "fragmentation" an is performed at the
IP layer
[Better reasons?]
(1999-06-14)