Concept of Piggybacking

The data link layer provides service to the Network Layer above it:
* The network layer is interested in getting messages to the corresponding network layer module on an adjacent machine.
* The remote Network Layer peer should receive the identical message generated by the sender (e.g., if the data link layer adds control information, the header information must be removed before the message is passed to the Network Layer).
* The Network Layer wants to be sure that all messages it sends, will be delivered correctly (e.g., none lost, no corruption). Note that arbitrary errors may result in the loss of both data and control frames.
* The Network Layer wants messages to be delivered to the remote peer in the exact same order as they are sent.

Interleaving data and control frames on the same circuit is an improvement over having two separate physical circuits, yet another improvement is possible. When a data frame arrives, instead of immediately sending a separate control frame, the receiver restrains itself and waits until the network layer passes it the next packet. The acknowledgment is attached to the outgoing data frame. In effect, the acknowledgment gets a free ride on the next outgoing data frame.

The technique of temporarily delaying outgoing acknowledgments so that they can be hooked onto the next outgoing data frame is known as piggybacking.
Advantage : Better use of available channel bandwidth.
Disadvantage : If the data link layer waits longer than the sender’s timeout period, the frame will be retransmitted, defeating the whole purpose of having acknowledgments.