In the context of the network overview, what would 'Dropped packets' indicate?

'Dropped packets' indicates a failure in packet delivery. This term refers to instances where data packets sent across a network do not reach their intended destination. Packet loss can occur for various reasons, such as network congestion, hardware malfunctions, or misconfigurations. Measuring dropped packets is essential because it can significantly affect the performance of applications, leading to issues like slow response times, reduced throughput, or even application failures. Understanding this metric helps network administrators identify problems and optimize network performance to ensure reliable communication and data integrity.