Which is more efficient?

Wed Jan 14 22:59:18 UTC 2009

Packets can have a max size as well based on the path MTU, such as 1500
bytes in an Ethernet (10/100) link.  I think there are a lot of other
variables here such as are you billed per data unit, bandwidth and control
factors on the links, and what type of data is being sent.

If your data can always fit in a smaller N-byte cell, that can be quite
efficient since you have minimal overhead or wasted space and all the
benefits of the fixed length data unit from a processing standpoint.

If you are constantly fragmenting and then having to reassemble data due
to the small cell size, you would be better off with a variable length
packet, especially when bandwidth is less in demand than processing power.

	-Scott

-----Original Message-----
From: Murphy, Jay, DOH [mailto:Jay.Murphy at state.nm.us]
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 3:56 PM
To: nanog at nanog.org
Subject: Which is more efficient?

All,

In your humble opinion, which transmission method is more efficient,
packet or cell?  Granted a cell is a fixed length packet and an IP packet
is variable length....would this necessarily only relate to a specific
protocol,  namely, cell in ATM, and IP in Ethernet or other  types of
domains....feedback highly welcomed.  Trying to make a decision on the
transport mode for cost, delay, jitter, ROI, etcetera.

Jay Murphy
IP Network Specialist
NM Department of Health
ITSD - IP Network Operations
Santa Fé, New México 87502
Bus. Ph.: 505.827.2851

"We move the information that moves your world."

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