200-301 Question 83
Single answerA network administrator is troubleshooting an issue where a video streaming service occasionally experiences dropped frames but continues to play without interruption. Which transport layer protocol is most likely being used by the video streaming service, and why?
- A
TCP, because it guarantees delivery of all packets in the correct order
- B
UDP, because it prioritizes low latency over reliability
- C
TCP, because it is connection-oriented and ensures error correction
- D
UDP, because it supports stateful connections and error recovery mechanisms
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Video streaming services often use UDP because it prioritizes low latency and continuous data flow over perfect reliability. Occasional dropped packets are acceptable for such applications, as the focus is on delivering the data quickly enough to maintain a smooth playback experience. TCP, while reliable, introduces additional overhead and delays due to its error correction and retransmission mechanisms, making it less ideal for real-time streaming.
- A. Incorrect.
TCP guarantees delivery of all packets and their proper order, but this adds latency, making it less suitable for time-sensitive applications like video streaming.
- B. Correct.
UDP is a connectionless protocol designed for low-latency applications. It does not guarantee delivery or order of packets, which is acceptable for video streaming where occasional dropped frames are tolerable.
- C. Incorrect.
TCP is connection-oriented and ensures error correction, but its reliability mechanisms make it slower and less desirable for real-time streaming where latency is critical.
- D. Incorrect.
UDP is connectionless, not stateful, and it does not have built-in error recovery mechanisms. This makes it unsuitable for scenarios requiring full reliability.