Path of a packet through a kernel
Path of a packet through a kernel Read Aloud Stop Reading Path of a packet through a kernel The path of a packet through a kernel can be quite complex, involving multiple layers of processing and several different subsystems. In this answer, we will describe the basic steps that a packet might take as it travels through a typical kernel. Receiving the Packet The first step in processing a packet is to receive it from the network interface. This typically involves a device driver that is specific to the particular interface being used. The driver reads the packet from the interface and copies it into a buffer in memory. Protocol Decapsulation Once the packet has been received, the kernel must determine which protocol it is using. This is typically done by examining the protocol field in the packet header. The kernel then passes the packet to the appropriate protocol layer, which is responsible for decapsulating the packet and extracting any data that it contains. ...



