How is information transferred over the Internet?

Information is transferred over the Internet as packets. This method involves breaking down data into smaller, manageable units known as packets, which are then transmitted through various network routes to their destination. Each packet contains not only a portion of the data being sent but also important header information that helps in routing it to the correct destination.

The packet-switching technique allows for efficient and reliable data transmission, especially across diverse and potentially congested networks. By sending data in packets, the Internet can dynamically route these packets across different paths, allowing for decentralized communication and minimizing the impact of any single network failure. Once all packets arrive at their destination, they are reassembled into the original data.

Other methods of data transfer, such as sending large files as a single block or continuous streams, do not utilize the inherent advantages of packet-switching, which is crucial for the scalability and resilience of Internet communication. Hence, the concept of packets is fundamental to understanding how information travels efficiently over the Internet.