What is the universal datagram protocol (UDP)?

The transmission control protocol (TCP) creates reliable and fair connections between multiple computers on the internet. It is the most widely-used internet transport protocol—​at least for now. But there is another widely-deployed transport protocol called the universal datagram protocol, or UDP. Unlike TCP, UDP provides no reliability. And unlike TCP, UDP provides no flow control or fairness. It does preserve port numbers similar to TCP, although UDP does not establish a connection between multiple computers. While UDP may seem to jettison several useful features of TCP, the fact that it exists and many internet-connected computers support it is enabling important innovation at the transport layer.

Credits: Talking: Geoffrey Challen (Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo). Producing: Greg Bunyea (Undergraduate, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo).

[jjonajameson]

The correct acronym is User Datagram Protocol, not Universal. However, it is certainly a universal protocol that's widely used.

[vishnu]

Simple...and Clear explanation!!!
Thanks!!!

[arpangoswami]

I didn't knew jack wilshire started teaching networking 😂

[timhanewich]

Great video! Is UDP (and for that matter TCP) capable of connecting to remote clients/servers beyond a LAN networking? i.e. Can it establish a connection in another state? Another country?

[dannybolick]

This was not a "what is" video of UDP, but a comparison of TCP and UDP. The title of the video is mis-leading

[tkghhhhh]

So why would anyone use UDP instead of TCP if it's not reliable????

[JessicaPerry-uq]

Hernandez Deborah Thomas Frank Brown Jessica