Chapter Summary
The User Datagram Protocol, or UDP, is the second transport layer protocol in the TCP/IP protocol suite. It doesn't get the same level of attention as TCP does, but UDP is a wonderfully useful tool that perfectly complements TCP. UDP is ideally suited to providing a streamlined, no-frills transportation for applications that require a timelynot guaranteeddelivery of data.By including just a minimalist set of functions, UDP effectively trades reliability for speed. That's quite useful for any and all real-time applications such as live voice, video communications, or even online gaming.UDP isn't a substitute or alternative to TCP: It is a completely different tool designed for a completely different set of functional requirements. TCP/IP needs both TCP and UDP to satisfy all your networking needs.