What is a Dropped Packet?
Dropped packets are pieces of data that are disregarded by network sensors when they are overwhelmed. It is an old term, that is still used today. The term also happens to be a wonderful metaphor for the Dropped Packets web comic.
Dropped packets is a term still used today. A dropped packet affects quality of service for network based applications like VOIP. In this case, dropped packets insert themselves into our lives when a VOIP phone calls get “choppy”. The caller may only hear bits and pieces of a conversation as call packets are lost on the network (otherwise known as dropped). Dropped Packets the webcomic however, is about network security. Dropped packets in the context of network security have more significant meaning than a “choppy” phone call.
Computer Network Defense devices that monitor and protect networks collect data off of the network. There are a number of different ways data can be collected. One way is to use a special device called a tap. Another is to use a special network card designed to collect packets on the network. The last, and cheapest way, is to use the promiscuous mode of the network adapter in a computer. Sometimes these devices must be used in conjunction with a hub or a router/switch that features a SPAN port. Each of these technologies offer varying degrees of success when it comes to capturing packets. All can “drop packets” in various scenarios.
Packets may be Dropped when the network computer devices are overwhelmed. Packet capturing devices are rated for a specific bandwidth. The devices drop packets if that bandwidth is exceeded. SPAN ports on routers/switches are unreliable when routers are overloaded. They typically do not send data to the SPAN port if they do not have the bandwidth to support the copy operation. Choosing the right device to collect network data is an engineering challenge best suited for your Computer Network Engineer and Information Security Officer.
Dropped Packets the comic takes this idea to the office. What happens to Computer Network Security when everyone is swamped with work at the office? What happens when people do not understand Computer Security? The consequence of these situations are Dropped Packets in real life. The packets all have to be accounted for at some point. Hopefully Dropped Packets the strip will revel in the irony of the situation. Please forgive the sarcasm, you need a bit of that when conducting “adventures in Computer Network Security.”
Of course, there are other interpretations of Dropped Packets.