FLASH CARDS

6.02 Compare and contrast Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP)

  • What are network protocols?

  • Protocols are rules for how devices communicate over a network, ensuring data is understood and handled the same way.

  • What is the purpose of port numbers in the Transport Layer?

  • Port numbers help manage data from different applications on the same network connection.

  • What are the two types of port numbers assigned during communication?

  • 1) Destination Port Number (shows which service is being used) 2) Source Port Number (assigned by the client for tracking)

  • What are the two main transport layer protocols in TCP/IP?

  • Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP).

  • What is the key difference between TCP and UDP?

  • TCP is reliable and ensures correct data order, while UDP is faster but less reliable.

  • How does TCP ensure reliable data transmission?

  • TCP uses a handshake, sequence numbers, and acknowledgments to track and resend lost data.

  • What is the three-way handshake in TCP?

  • The three-way handshake is: SYN: Sender requests communication. SYN/ACK: Receiver acknowledges the request. ACK: Sender confirms the connection.

  • What is the purpose of acknowledgments (ACK) and negative acknowledgments (NACK) in TCP?

  • ACK confirms data was received, and NACK asks for missing data to be sent again.

  • What is the overhead in TCP?

  • TCP has extra information in headers (at least 20 bytes) to manage connections and track data.

  • When is TCP preferred over UDP?

  • TCP is used when data accuracy matters, like in web browsing or secure connections.

  • What is UDP’s main advantage?

  • UDP is faster because it doesn't have extra checks for reliability like TCP.

  • What types of applications are best suited for UDP?

  • Real-time apps like voice and video streaming, where speed is more important than accuracy.

  • What does "connectionless" mean in the context of UDP?

  • UDP sends data without setting up a connection first, making it faster but less reliable.

  • How does packet loss affect applications using UDP?

  • Lost packets may cause minor glitches, but the application keeps running without delays.

  • What is Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and why does it use UDP?

  • DHCP assigns IP addresses to devices on a network and uses UDP because it supports broadcasting, which TCP does not.

  • What is Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) and why does it use UDP?

  • TFTP transfers files and uses UDP because it has its own way of ensuring data is received, so TCP isn't needed.