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One flash, one packet? (programming.dev)
submitted 9 months ago by to c/networking@sh.itjust.works
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I've always wondered whether network interfaces that have these flashing lights flash as a gimmick or do they actually indicate the flow of traffic? Perhaps one flash per packet in or out? I wish I could remember what my call up modem looked like to make a historical comparison too.

TL-SG105E

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[–] 7 points 9 months ago* (4 children)

They flash a lot longer then it takes to recieve one packet, but it's a useful indicator that tells you that there is some activity.

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  • [–] [S] 2 points 9 months ago (3 children)

    Right! Packets, of course, come in many sizes and a TCP handshake alone is what... Less than 1MB? And with a 1 Gbps connection, there is no way those LEDs flash once for each packet. They would probably look like static lights to the human eye if that was the case... Thanks! :)

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