Packet Post
A network splits a message into numbered, addressed packets; each router chooses only a local next hop, packets can take different delayed or failed routes, and the receiver retries missing packets and reassembles them by sequence number.
ComputingAges 8-13~10 min🎙️ Voice tutor
Play freeNo account needed
What your child will figure out
- Predict and observe that numbered packets from one message can take different routes and arrive out of order.
- Configure a local next-hop rule from one router's immediate neighbours rather than drawing a global route.
- Explain how finite queues create delay and how a hop limit safely ends a routing loop without repairing it.
- Transfer local routing and sequence reasoning to a failed link, one lost packet, a retry, and out-of-order reassembly.
The levels
- Postcard playground
Predict arrival order, split a doodle into four numbered packets, observe two routes, and explain sequence reassembly.
- Rush-hour reroute
Place Alder's local next-hop stamp to avoid Cedar's finite queue and explain the delay evidence.
- Loop breaker
Predict hop-limit expiry, observe the unchanged loop, then repair Cedar's one local forwarding rule.
- Festival mural transfer
Transfer routing to a failed link, recover one lost packet, and rebuild an out-of-order message.
Ready when they are.
Play Packet Post free — no account, no card.
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