Network Frame Definition

A network frame is a structured unit of data used to transmit information between devices on the same network. It’s part of how computers organize and manage communication so data gets to the right place without corruption. Each frame contains data and other information, including source and destination addresses and basic error-checking information for data transmission.

How Network Frames Work

Network frames carry data across local networks like Wi-Fi or Ethernet. When a device sends information, that data is divided into smaller parts. Each part is wrapped in a frame that includes details about where it’s going and how to check it arrived correctly. The receiving device then opens the frame, reads the data, and checks for any errors before passing it along.

This process happens at the Data Link Layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model, which manages how devices share data on the same network. Frames make this exchange smooth and reliable, keeping communication organized between computers, routers, and other connected devices.

Network Frames vs Data Packets

Network frames and data packets both describe how information moves between devices. The difference is in where each one works.

	Network Frame	Data Packet
Purpose	Sends data between nearby devices	Sends data over long distances
Where it works	Inside the local network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)	Across the internet between networks
What it carries	Local MAC address and details like error checks	Data plus internet delivery details, like IP addresses
Network layer	Data Link Layer (Layer 2)	Network Layer (Layer 3)
Example	Your laptop sends a frame to your router	Your router sends a packet to a website

Read More

• What Is an OSI Layer?
• What Is Network Infrastructure?

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