TTL

TTL, or Time-to-Live, is a measure used in computer networks to determine how long data packets are allowed to exist before being discarded. When a device sends data, TTL acts like a countdown timer, preventing the packet from circulating endlessly if there's a routing error. Each time the packet passes through a router, its TTL decreases by one. If the TTL reaches zero before reaching its destination, the packet is discarded, helping maintain network efficiency and prevent congestion. Essentially, TTL ensures data packets don't stay in the network forever and helps manage optimal data flow.