What do packet-switched networks break information into?

Packet-switched networks break information into packets. In this type of networking, data is divided into smaller, manageable units known as packets before being sent over the network. Each packet contains not just the data it carries but also necessary routing information, such as source and destination addresses, which help in directing the packet to its destination through potentially multiple routes in the network.

This method of communication is efficient because it allows multiple packets from different sources to share the same network pathways, optimizing bandwidth and enabling faster data transmission. When the packets reach their destination, they can be reassembled in the correct order to form the original message.

The other terms refer to different layers or concepts in networking; for example, frames are used in data link layer communications to encapsulate packets, segments refer specifically to transport layer data units, and bytes are simply units of data. However, in the context of packet-switched networks, it is packets that are crucial for the transmission of data across the network.