Decapsulation

Decapsulation is the process of removing the outer layers or wrappers from data as it travels through a network, to reveal the original information inside. Think of it like opening nested packages: each layer—like headers and trailers added at different points—must be stripped away so the core message, such as an email or file, can be understood by the recipient’s device. This process ensures the data is correctly identified, addressed, and cleaned for proper use. In essence, decapsulation is the final step in preparing data for interpretation after it has been transmitted across a network.