What occurs if a network layer protocol is aware that a packet is larger than the maximum size for its network?
A) The protocol will notify a network router capable of receiving the packet, and a new path will be used to the destination.
B) The protocol will send an ICMP message to the destination, requesting a larger packet size be allowed.
C) The packet will be dropped silently, requiring the communicating application try again.
D) The packet will be divided into smaller packets using fragmentation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If a network layer protocol is aware that a packet is larger than the maximum size for its network, it should divide the packet into smaller packets using fragmentation. This is because the network layer is responsible for ensuring that packets are delivered across different networks, and different networks may have different maximum packet sizes. By fragmenting the packet, the network layer can ensure that each fragment is small enough to be transmitted across the network. This approach also ensures that the communication can continue without requiring the application to try again or sending an ICMP message to request a larger packet size.

What Occurs If a Network Layer Protocol Is Aware That