Network, Computer and Programming Resources

Network - Checksum

Checksum is a simple error-detection strategy that computes a running total based on the byte values transmitted in a packet, and then applies a simple operation to compute the checksum value. Checksums are very fast and easy to implement, and they can detect about 99.6 percent of errors in a packet. This reliability level is acceptable for most simple communications situations, but is less reliable than the more sophisticated CRC (Cyclical Redundancy Check) calculations, which have an accuracy of more than 99.9 percent. The receiver compares the checksums computed by the sender and by the receiver. If they match, the receiver assumes the transmission was error-free. If they do not match, there was an error. BROADER CATEGORY Error Detection and Correction COMPARE CRC (Cyclical Redundancy Check); Parity