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Transmission Delay for a 10 Mbps Ethernet Link (32-bit Packet)

Transmission Delay for a 10 Mbps Ethernet Link (32-bit Packet)

Verified Sources
Nov 4, 2026

For a link with data rate RR, the transmission delay (also called store-and-forward transmission time) for a packet of length LL bits is computed as

dtrans=LR.d_{trans}=\frac{L}{R}.

For the problem: R=10 Mbps=10×106 bits/sR=10\text{ Mbps}=10\times 10^6\ \text{bits/s} and L=32 bitsL=32\ \text{bits}, so

dtrans=3210×106 s=3.2×10−6 s=0.0032 ms.d_{trans}=\frac{32}{10\times 10^6}\ \text{s}=3.2\times 10^{-6}\ \text{s}=0.0032\ \text{ms}.

Thus, the transmission delay is not equal to any of (i) 3.23.2, (ii) 3232, or (iii) 0.320.32 milliseconds. The correct choice is (iv) None of the above.

Key terms:

  • Transmission delay
  • Packet length
  • Link data rate

Transmission Delay (L/R) Quick Explanation

Compute the transmission delay and pick the correct option

  1. 1
    Step 1

    Use dtrans=LRd_{trans}=\frac{L}{R} where LL is packet length in bits and RR is link rate in bits/s.

  2. 2
    Step 2

    Here L=32L=32 bits and R=10 Mbps=10×106 bits/sR=10\text{ Mbps}=10\times 10^6\text{ bits/s}, so d=3210×106d=\frac{32}{10\times 10^6} seconds.

  3. 3
    Step 3

    Compute d=3.2×10−6d=3.2\times 10^{-6} s.

  4. 4
    Step 4

    Use 1 ms=10−3 s1\text{ ms}=10^{-3}\text{ s}, so 3.2×10−6 s=0.0032 ms3.2\times 10^{-6}\text{ s}=0.0032\text{ ms}.

  5. 5
    Step 5

    The options are 3.23.2 ms, 3232 ms, and 0.320.32 ms; the computed value is 0.00320.0032 ms, so the correct answer is (iv) None of the above.

Transmission delay results vs options (in milliseconds)

Computed delay for L=32 bits on R=10 Mbps compared to given multiple-choice values.

Unit sanity check

Always convert Mbps to bits/s before dividing. 10 Mbps=10×10610\text{ Mbps}=10\times 10^6 bits/s, so the delay must be on the order of microseconds for tens of bits.

Transmission delay is not propagation delay

This problem asks only for dtrans=L/Rd_{trans}=L/R. Propagation delay depends on distance and signal speed (not given), so you should not include it.

Common confusions

Knowledge Check

Question 1 of 3
Q1Single choice

For a link with data rate R=10R=10 Mbps and packet length L=32L=32 bits, the transmission delay in milliseconds is:

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