Network traffic

Network traffic or data traffic is the amount of data moving across a network at a given point of time.^[1] Network data in computer networks is mostly encapsulated in network packets, which provide the load in the network. Network traffic is the main component for network traffic measurement, network traffic control and simulation.

• Network traffic control - managing, prioritizing, controlling or reducing the network traffic
• Network traffic measurement - measuring the amount and type of traffic on a particular network
• Network traffic simulation - to measure the efficiency of a communications network
• Traffic generation model - is a stochastic model of the traffic flows or data sources in a communication computer network.

Proper analysis of network traffic provides the organization with the network security as a benefit - unusual amount of traffic in a network is a possible sign of an attack. Network traffic reports provide valuable insights into preventing such attacks.^[1]