TCP vs UDP: Reliability and Communication Types

TCP vs UDP: Reliability and Communication Types

Question

What is the difference regarding reliability and communication type between TCP and UDP?

Answers

Explanations

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A. B. C. D.

D.

The correct answer is D: TCP is reliable and is a connection-oriented protocol; UDP is not reliable and is a connectionless protocol.

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol) are both transport layer protocols that operate over IP (Internet Protocol). They are used to transmit data between devices on a network.

TCP is a reliable protocol, which means that it guarantees delivery of data to the receiver. It does this by establishing a connection between the sender and receiver before transmitting data. During the transmission of data, TCP monitors for lost or corrupted packets and retransmits them as necessary to ensure that all data is received correctly. This makes TCP ideal for applications that require accurate delivery of data, such as email, file transfers, and web browsing.

TCP is also a connection-oriented protocol. This means that a connection must be established between the sender and receiver before data can be transmitted. The connection is maintained throughout the transmission of data, and is closed once all data has been transmitted. The connection-oriented nature of TCP ensures that data is transmitted in the correct order and that no data is lost or duplicated during transmission.

UDP, on the other hand, is not a reliable protocol. It does not guarantee delivery of data to the receiver, nor does it monitor for lost or corrupted packets. This makes UDP ideal for applications that prioritize speed over accuracy, such as video streaming or online gaming. If a few packets are lost during transmission, the receiver can still display the video or game without waiting for retransmission.

UDP is also a connectionless protocol, meaning that no connection needs to be established between the sender and receiver before data can be transmitted. Packets are simply sent to the destination IP address and port, with no acknowledgement or confirmation of receipt. This makes UDP faster than TCP, but also less reliable.

In summary, TCP is a reliable and connection-oriented protocol, while UDP is an unreliable and connectionless protocol. The choice of protocol depends on the requirements of the application and the importance of accurate data delivery.