What is a network segment?

What is a network segment?
8.2.7 This page explains what a network segment is.


As with many terms and acronyms, segment has multiple meanings. The dictionary definition of the term is as follows:

• A separate piece of something
• One of the parts into which an entity, or quantity is divided or marked off by or as if by natural boundaries

In the context of data communication, the following definitions are used:

• Section of a network that is bounded by bridges, routers, or switches.
• In a LAN using a bus topology, a segment is a continuous electrical circuit that is often connected to other such segments with repeaters.
• Term used in the TCP specification to describe a single transport layer unit of information. The terms datagram, frame, message, and packet are also used to describe logical information groupings at various layers of the OSI reference model and in various technology circles.

To properly define the term segment, the context of the usage must be presented with the word. If segment is used in the context of TCP, it would be defined as a separate piece of the data. If segment is being used in the context of physical networking media in a routed network, it would be seen as one of the parts or sections of the total network.

This page concludes this lesson. The next page will summarize the main points from the module.