UDP and the Transport Layer

UDP is a type of protocol that stands for User Datagram Protocol. It is an integral part of the Transport Layer in the TCP/IP Model. The UDP protocol allows computer applications to send messages on an IP network. UDP is an unreliable datagram protocol and it is also connectionless. The word "unreliable" simply means that there is no possible way to confirm that the message has reached the host destination or not. Furthermore, there is no way to verify that the message reached the destination correctly or not. According to docstore.mik.ua, UDP is the most efficient protocol for the Transport Layer. The site gives the example that if the data being sent over the TCP/IP Network is small, then the overhead of making connections and assuring reliable delivery is greater than re-sending the data packet itself. As we learned in class today, Transport Layer protocols require minimum overhead and the UDP protocol gives just that and that is why it is helpful to the Transport layer.

Source: http://docstore.mik.ua/orelly/networking/tcpip/ch01_06.htm