Packet consists of control information and user data, which is also known as the payload. Control information provides data for delivering the payload, for example: source and destination network addresses, error detection codes, and sequencing information. Typically, control information is found in Packet headers and trailers.
communications links that do not support Packet, such as traditional Point-to-Point Protocol telecommunications links (Circuit switching), simply transmit data as a bit stream. When data is formatted into Packet, packet switching is possible and the bandwidth of the communication medium can be better shared among users than with circuit switching.