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Network Packet Fragmentation Guide

This document discusses two methods for dealing with different maximum transmission unit (MTU) sizes across computer networks: packet fragmentation and path MTU discovery. Packet fragmentation allows routers to split packets that exceed a network's MTU into smaller fragments that can be reassembled by the receiving host. However, fragmentation is inefficient and can magnify packet loss. Path MTU discovery allows a host to determine the largest packet size that will not be fragmented across the network path by sending progressively smaller test packets and receiving feedback from routers. This is the standard method used by the Internet Protocol today to avoid fragmentation.

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266 views15 pages

Network Packet Fragmentation Guide

This document discusses two methods for dealing with different maximum transmission unit (MTU) sizes across computer networks: packet fragmentation and path MTU discovery. Packet fragmentation allows routers to split packets that exceed a network's MTU into smaller fragments that can be reassembled by the receiving host. However, fragmentation is inefficient and can magnify packet loss. Path MTU discovery allows a host to determine the largest packet size that will not be fragmented across the network path by sending progressively smaller test packets and receiving feedback from routers. This is the standard method used by the Internet Protocol today to avoid fragmentation.

Uploaded by

rohit
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Computer Networks

Packet Fragmentation(5.5.5)
David Wetherall ([email protected])
Professor of Computer Science & Engineering

Topic
How do we connect networks with
different maximum packet sizes?
Need to split up packets, or discover
the largest size to use
Its too big!

Take that
Big packet

Computer Networks

Packet Size Problem


Different networks have different
maximum packet sizes
Or MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit)
E.g., Ethernet 1.5K, WiFi 2.3K

Prefer large packets for efficiency


But what size is too large?
Difficult because node does not know
complete network path
Computer Networks

Packet Size Solutions


Fragmentation (now)
Split up large packets in the network
if they are too big to send
Classic method, dated

Discovery (next)
Find the largest packet that fits on the
network path and use it
IP uses today instead of fragmentation
Computer Networks

IPv4 Fragmentation
Routers fragment packets that are too large to forward
Receiving host reassembles to reduce load on routers
Fragment!

Reassemble!

Fits on first link


Computer Networks

IPv4 Fragmentation Fields


Header fields used to handle packet size differences
Identification, Fragment offset, MF/DF control bits

Payload (e.g., TCP segment)


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IPv4 Fragmentation Procedure


Routers split a packet that is too large:

Typically break into large pieces


Copy IP header to pieces
Adjust length on pieces
Set offset to indicate position
Set MF (More Fragments) on all pieces
except last

Receiving hosts reassembles the pieces:


Identification field links pieces together,
MF tells receiver when it has all pieces
Computer Networks

IPv4 Fragmentation (2)


Before
MTU = 2300

ID = 0x12ef
Data Len = 2300
Offset = 0
MF = 0

After
MTU = 1500

ID =
Data Len =
Offset =
MF =

Computer Networks

(Ignore length
of headers)

ID =
Data Len =
Offset =
MF =

IPv4 Fragmentation (3)


Before
MTU = 2300

ID = 0x12ef
Data Len = 2300
Offset = 0
MF = 0

After
MTU = 1500

ID = 0x12ef
Data Len = 1500
Offset = 0
MF = 1

Computer Networks

ID = 0x12ef
Data Len = 800
Offset = 1500
MF = 0

IPv4 Fragmentation (4)


It works!
Allows repeated fragmentation

But fragmentation is undesirable


More work for routers, hosts
Tends to magnify loss rate
Security vulnerabilities too
Computer Networks

10

Path MTU Discovery


Discover the MTU that will fit
So we can avoid fragmentation
The method in use today

Host tests path with large packet


Routers provide feedback if too large;
they tell host what size would have fit
Computer Networks

11

Path MTU Discovery (2)

Computer Networks

MTU=1400

MTU=1200 bytes

Try 1200

Try 900

MTU=900

12

Path MTU Discovery (3)


Test #1

Computer Networks

Test #2

MTU=1400

MTU=1200 bytes

Try 1200

Try 900

Test #3
MTU=900

13

Path MTU Discovery (4)


Process may seem involved
But usually quick to find right size

Path MTU depends on the path and


so can change over time
Search is ongoing

Implemented with ICMP (next)


Set DF (Dont Fragment) bit in IP
header to get feedback messages
Computer Networks

14

END
2013 D. Wetherall
Slide material from: TANENBAUM, ANDREW S.; WETHERALL, DAVID J., COMPUTER NETWORKS, 5th Edition, 2011.
Electronically reproduced by permission of Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey
Computer Networks

15

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