Ethernet packets vs kernel speed
 

Hi.... Today a really strange problem appeared in my mind...

Lets take the following example..
We have ethernet packets of 1250 bytes/packet...
(i use the 1250 number because i make the calculation simpler)

We have 1250*8bits=10.000 bits..
My pc has an 100Mbit ethernet card this means 100.000.000 bits per second... So our ethernet card must transmit data in 100.000.000/10.000= 10.000 packets per second...

I am trying to figure out how a kernel can tolerate with so much traffic... I think/suppose that a packet needs some ms for being handled (i wiil check it later).. If this is true how a kernel can send so much packets when there is not enough time? 1000ms == 1 sec.

PS: I know that the 100Mbit is only a theory based speed and you can not achieve such a number... But stil l my question has not been answered...
Thx a lot...
I hope that your answers will satisfy eveyone :)
Have a nice day

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