Chernobyl Packet

What Does Chernobyl Packet Mean?

A Chernobyl packet is a specific kind of data
packet that causes problems in a network. Like a Christmas tree packet, the
Chernobyl packet is thought of as “heavy” with data indicators that can
overload and overwhelm the network.

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Techopedia Explains Chernobyl Packet

Chernobyl packets cause “broadcast storms” where too much broadcast activity overwhelms parts of the network. In a broadcast storm, a troublesome packet requires many hosts to respond at the same time, or does other things that create excessive traffic. Network meltdowns and “thrashing” can also describe the flurry of activity that can “drown” a network. It is the specific indicators on the Chernobyl packet that create the struggle. Some sources talk about a packet that has IP addresses for both source and destination set as the addresses of gated subnetworks.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…