What is the purpose of encapsulation in networking?

Encapsulation in networking refers to the process of wrapping data within a specific protocol format before it is transmitted across a network. This involves taking the data from the application layer and adding headers (and possibly trailers) from each layer of the OSI or TCP/IP model as it passes down through the layers towards the physical layer. Each layer adds its own information that is essential for the successful transmission and processing of the data.

For example, when data is sent from a web browser to a server, the application layer data (like HTTP requests) gets encapsulated in transport layer protocols (like TCP) which adds its own header. This continues for each layer down to the data link and physical layers. This process not only helps maintain the integrity and proper formatting of the data but also ensures that the receiving system can correctly interpret and reconstruct the original data based on the encapsulated headers it receives.

The other options discuss aspects that don’t directly relate to the primary function of encapsulation. While data compression, encryption, and packet segmentation are important concepts in networking, they are distinct processes that serve different purposes and do not define encapsulation itself. Encapsulation is fundamentally about the structured packaging of data for accurate transmission, which is why the correct understanding aligns with the wrapping