What is UDP?

UDP, or User Datagram Protocol, is one of the several core protocols of the standard Internet protocol suite. By making use of UDP, it is possible for programs that are found on various computers connected by a network to send short messages back and forth. Known as datagrams, these quick and easy message make use of very little in the way of system resources, and are secure point to point communications.

When Was UDP Developed?

The earliest creation of UDP took place before the widespread use of the Internet by the general public. Developed in 1980, UDP was the brain child of David P. Reed. Reed looked for a quick and easy way to communicate between computers on a network that did not have to go through the usual protocols, or use up the same amount of resources. In order to accomplish this, Reed created the format for quick communication that compressed the message into a datagram and did a point to point delivery. Because of the secure nature of UDP, this made the protocol ideal for the delivery of proprietary documents that had been compressed.

How Is UDP Used In General?

Along with use for quick messages between users on the same network, UDP also can interface with several different network applications. Domain Name Systems, or DNS is one such application. Various streaming media applications, both voice and video make use of UDP. Such applications as IPTV, Voice over Internet Protocol, a variety of online games, and Trivial File Transfer Protocol all work with the use of UDP.

What is the Relationship Between UDP and TCP?

Both TCP and UDP are commonly used in business situations. The two applications are usually balanced in their use, and it is possible to make use of each one depending on the circumstances. TCP, however, is usually focused on such applications as accounting software, order taking and fulfilling software, and similar types of key systems that businesses use daily. By contrast, the use of UDP will focus more on the transmission of voice in video using VoIP and VVoIP to conduct virtual meetings, sales presentations, and other similar business related tasks.

Some programmers complain that the presence of UDP can undermine the functionality of TCP. However, this can usually be corrected by structuring the design of the network to allow for the dual use of both types of protocols.