BirdNest Tech Talk

Nov 20, 2025 · Fundamentals

From write() to recv(): Tracing a Packet Through the Linux Kernel

This article walks through every stage a packet undergoes inside the Linux kernel—from the moment an application calls write() or send() to the final recv() call—covering socket handling, routing, ARP/NDP resolution, queuing, NIC offloads, and reassembly with concrete commands and code examples.