200-301 Question 84
Single answerA network administrator is designing an application that requires low latency and can tolerate some packet loss, such as live video streaming. Which transport protocol is best suited for this application, and why?
- A
TCP, because it ensures reliable data delivery through retransmissions
- B
UDP, because it provides low overhead and faster data transmission
- C
TCP, because it establishes a connection before data transmission begins
- D
UDP, because it guarantees in-order delivery of packets
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is UDP due to its lightweight, connectionless nature. Unlike TCP, UDP does not involve connection establishment, acknowledgments, or retransmissions, which reduces overhead and latency. This makes it ideal for applications like live video streaming, where low latency is critical and occasional packet loss is acceptable. TCP, on the other hand, is better suited for applications where reliability and in-order delivery are more important than speed, such as file transfers or emails.
- A. Incorrect.
TCP is not suitable for low-latency applications like live video streaming, as its reliability mechanisms, such as retransmissions and acknowledgment, can introduce delays. This makes it more appropriate for scenarios requiring high reliability, such as file transfers.
- B. Correct.
UDP is the correct choice in this scenario because it does not have the overhead of connection establishment or reliability mechanisms, resulting in faster data transmission and lower latency. It is well-suited for applications like live video streaming, where some packet loss is acceptable.
- C. Incorrect.
While TCP's connection-oriented nature ensures reliability, it introduces delays due to the handshake process and acknowledgment of every packet. This makes it unsuitable for latency-sensitive applications like live video streaming.
- D. Incorrect.
UDP does not guarantee in-order delivery of packets. In fact, this lack of guarantees is one of the trade-offs for its low overhead and high speed, making it suitable for applications that prioritize speed over reliability.