Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Practice Exam

What is defined as an uninterrupted stream of packets from a source to a destination?

1. A packet

2. A flow

3. A session

4. A stream

The correct answer is: A flow

The correct answer is "a flow" because it specifically refers to a continuous and uninterrupted transmission of packets between a source and a destination within a network. In networking terminology, a flow is characterized by a sequence of packets that share a common set of attributes, such as source and destination IP addresses, port numbers, and transport protocols. This concept is essential in understanding how data traffic behaves in a network, as it allows for the analysis and management of data transfer performance and efficiency. Flows are significant in various applications, including Quality of Service (QoS) management, where prioritizing certain types of traffic based on these flows can help maintain optimal network performance. While a packet refers to the individual unit of data transmitted over the network, it does not capture the aspect of continuity between the source and destination. A session typically indicates a longer-term interaction between two endpoints, often involving multiple flows, but it does not define the uninterrupted aspect of the data stream. A stream could imply a continuous series of data but lacks the specific networking context of "flow." Therefore, "a flow" is the most precise term to describe an uninterrupted stream of packets sent from one location to another.