What do the terms "Ingress" and "Egress" refer to in network traffic?

The terms "Ingress" and "Egress" are fundamental concepts in networking that describe the direction of data flow relative to a specific point within the network. Ingress refers to incoming traffic, meaning it is the data packets that enter a network device or a specific network segment. This traffic can originate from external sources or other parts of the network trying to access resources within the local network.

Egress, on the other hand, refers to outgoing traffic. This encompasses all the data packets that leave a network device or segment, heading toward external destinations or navigating through the network towards their final destination, whether that be another device within the network or an external network.

Understanding these definitions is crucial for network management and operations, as they dictate how traffic is monitored, managed, and prioritized. Analyzing ingress and egress traffic helps in identifying bandwidth usage, troubleshooting potential issues, and implementing security measures to protect the network from unwanted incoming threats or to manage outgoing data effectively.