An Internet Protocol (IP) packet that is being sent by one host on a TCP/IP network to a specific destination host on the network. A directed packet contains the IP address of a specific target host on the network as its destination address.
The directed packet is picked up by the target host and is ignored by all other hosts on the network.
Directed packets are used for most network communication on a TCP/IP network because they are the most efficient method for communication. However, some services, such as network announcements, require that all hosts on the network receive a packet.
To send a packet to all stations on the network, you use a broadcast packet instead of a directed packet.