- Basic Concepts
- MTU is the largest size of data packets that can be transmitted over a network
- Standard Ethernet MTU is 1500 bytes, including 18 bytes of overhead
- Wi-Fi networks typically use 2304 bytes maximum MTU
- Jumbo frames can reach up to 9000 bytes in size
- Impact on Performance
- Larger MTU sizes reduce packet fragmentation and improve efficiency
- Smaller MTU sizes decrease latency per hop
- Extra headers add overhead to data transmission
- VPN connections often require lower MTU settings (1400 bytes)
- Configuration
- Router MTU settings can be configured through CLI or web interface
- Switch MTU settings require privileged EXEC mode
- End devices use specific commands like netsh or ifconfig
- Configuration changes must be verified and tested
- Best Practices
- Find optimal MTU size for specific network requirements
- Balance security needs with bandwidth efficiency
- Use Path MTU Discovery for efficient packet size adjustment
- Monitor latency and bandwidth utilization during configuration