MTU
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Networking
| Stands for | Maximum transmission unit |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
MTU stands for Maximum transmission unit, a networking abbreviation.
The largest packet, in bytes, that a network link can carry in one frame without fragmenting it. Standard Ethernet has an MTU of 1,500 bytes, while data center "jumbo frames" raise it to about 9,000. Tunnels and VPNs add headers, which reduces the usable MTU.
Example: Lower the MTU on the VPN interface to 1400 if large web pages hang while loading.
Usage notes
Mismatched MTUs cause puzzling faults in which small requests work but large transfers stall, often because ICMP "fragmentation needed" messages are filtered. PPPoE connections commonly use 1,492 bytes because PPPoE adds an 8-byte header. IPv6 requires every link to support at least 1,280 bytes.
Related abbreviations
More networking abbreviations
- MAC – Media access control (address)
- MAN – Metropolitan area network
- MPLS – Multiprotocol Label Switching
- MQTT – MQTT (formerly MQ Telemetry Transport)
- MSS – Maximum segment size
- MTA – Mail transfer agent
- MX – Mail exchanger (record)
- NAT – Network Address Translation
- NFS – Network File System
- NFV – Network functions virtualization
- NOC – Network operations center
- NS – Name server (record)