Network traffic refers to the flow of data across a network, and it plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of communication between devices. It is important to monitor and manage traffic to prevent congestion and ensure efficient use of network resources. The traffic is typically categorized based on the type of data and the direction of communication.

Types of Network Traffic:

  • Inbound Traffic: Data that comes from external sources into the network.
  • Outbound Traffic: Data that leaves the network and travels to external destinations.
  • Internal Traffic: Data exchanged between devices within the same network.

Managing network traffic involves controlling bandwidth usage, prioritizing certain data types, and monitoring traffic patterns to avoid performance degradation.

Key Elements of Network Traffic:

  1. Packet Size: The amount of data in a single unit of transmission.
  2. Protocol: The rules that define data communication between devices (e.g., TCP/IP).
  3. Latency: The time it takes for data to travel from the source to the destination.

Traffic Analysis Table:

Traffic Type Source Destination Protocol
Inbound External Server Local Network TCP
Outbound Local Network External Server UDP