UDP(User datagram protocol)

Describe the structure of a UDP packet.

A UDP packet includes: Source Port (16 bits) Destination Port (16 bits) Length (16 bits) Checksum (16 bits) The total header size is 8 bytes.

UDP is preferable for speed-critical applications where some data loss is acceptable, such as live streaming, VoIP, and online gaming.

It allows immediate data transmission with minimal overhead, resulting in lower latency and the ability to efficiently handle many clients.

How does UDP handle error detection?

UDP includes a simple error detection mechanism using a checksum. The checksum field in the UDP header allows the receiver to detect whether the data has been corrupted during transmission. If the checksum of a received packet does not match the calculated checksum, the packet is discarded. However, UDP does not attempt to correct errors or retransmit lost/corrupt packets; it relies on the application layer to handle error recovery if necessary.

What is the purpose of the User Datagram Protocol (UDP)?

UDP is a connectionless, lightweight transport layer protocol that provides minimal error recovery services. It is used when speed is crucial and applications can tolerate some data loss. Unlike TCP, UDP does not establish a connection before sending data and does not guarantee reliable or ordered delivery. It's ideal for real-time applications like video streaming, VoIP, and online gaming, where fast transmission is more important than accuracy.

When is UDP more advantageous than TCP?

UDP is preferable for speed-critical applications where some data loss is acceptable, such as live streaming, VoIP, and online gaming.