The ___ refers to data units switched and transmitted on the network. A. Tail B. Packet C. Data payload D. Header

The correct answer is B. Packet.

In computer networking, a packet is the fundamental unit of data that is transmitted across a network. Packets contain not only the data being sent but also crucial control information used for routing and delivery.

To elaborate, a packet typically consists of three main parts: the header, the payload, and the tail.

1. Header: This part contains important metadata, such as source and destination addresses, sequencing information, and protocol details, which help the network devices determine how to route and deliver the packet.

2. Payload: This is the actual data being transmitted, which can include anything from emails to files and web pages.

3. Tail: The tail often includes error-checking information that helps ensure the integrity of the data being transferred.

When data is prepared for transmission across a network, it is broken down into packets, which are then sent individually and may take different paths to reach the destination, where they are reassembled.