A packet of data contains a packet header, payload, and trailer. The packet header includes the destination address, packet number, and originator’s address. Data is broken down into packets. Each packet could take a different route. A router controls the route a packet takes. Packets may arrive out of order. Once the last packet has arrived, packets are reordered. Including: serial, parallel, simplex, half-duplex, full-duplex. Including the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Including the benefits and drawbacks of the interface.

A network interface card is given a MAC address at the point of manufacture. MAC addresses are usually written as hexadecimal. MAC addresses are created using the manufacturer code and the serial code. An IP address is allocated by the network and it can be static or dynamic. Including the characteristics of, and differences between, IPv4 and IPv6. A router sends data to a specific destination on a network. A router can assign IP addresses. A router can connect a local network to the internet.