What is burst? - Definition from Whatis.com

Burst is a term used in a number of information technology contexts to mean a specific amount of data sent or received in one intermittent operation. It can be contrasted with streamed, paced, or continuous. Generally, a burst operation implies that some threshold has been reached that triggers the burst. Depending on the particular technology, a burst operation can be intermittent at a regular or an irregular rate.

Contributor(s): Ken Conway and Evan Jennings
This was last updated in June 1997

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