5 Advantages and Disadvantages of User Datagram Protocol | Limitations & Benefits of User Datagram Protocol

The User Diagram Protocol (UDP) is a connectionless protocol situated between the IP layer and the application layer. Broadcasting messages over a network is its primary use. Apart from that, it serves as a bridge between network operations and applications.

UDP operates in a manner that is quite similar to TCP. While UDP offers several advantages, there are some restrictions that should be considered before using their services.


I'll be talking about the 5 Advantages and Disadvantages of User Datagram Protocol | Limitations & Benefits of User Datagram Protocol in this post. You will learn about the benefits and drawbacks of utilizing UDP protocol from this post.

Now let's get started,

 

Advantages of User Datagram Protocol

1. Transmission Delay

When data is received via UDP, there is typically relatively little transmission delay experienced by the recipient. 

 

This is due to the fact that packets do not need to be retransmitted even if they are lost during transmission. 

 

Furthermore, no connection setup is required. UDP is basically perfect for usage in delay-sensitive applications because of its short transmission delay.


2. Multicast Applications

Since UDP makes multicast applications easy to use, it is always advised when employing multicast apps. 

 

The sender must keep track of the transmission rates for each unique recipient if TCP is being used for this purpose. This procedure could be difficult. This is the rationale behind the adoption of UDP.


3. Connection Speed

Because acknowledgement fields are absent from UDPs, they are often faster. They are not required to retain the information in memory or wait for acknowledgement.


4. Processing Time

Small-sized packets and headers are frequently used with UDP. Because UDP protocols have tiny headers, they process packets much faster, requiring less memory for operations in the end.


5. Error Detection

By default, UDP lacks an error-checking system. It looks over the packet's data and header. 

 

It makes use of the checksum approach for this. Nonetheless, no legal action will be taken against them. 

 

 

Disadvantages of User Datagram Protocol

1. Lack of Connections

Because UDP is connectionless, data transport does not always need the creation of a virtual circuit. 

 

Therefore, a datagram can be sent to the recipient without any prior planning or negotiating. They ought to be able to be looked for by the recipient.


2. Unreliable

Due to the lack of acknowledgement, time outs, or retransmission, UDP is often unreliable. 

 

It is never guaranteed that a datagram will reach its intended host when it is sent. The datagram may occasionally be delivered twice or get lost in transit. 

 

The worst thing is that, unless the host chooses to bring them up, there isn't even a hint of this. On the other hand, network connection failure rates of this kind are extremely low.


3. Incorrect Order

In addition to not being sent, datagrams may also be out of sequence in UDP. It is not guaranteed that the datagrams will arrive at the host application in the same order as they are being delivered. 

 

Occasionally, the packets can be arranged so that you receive a delayed packet first. Furthermore, these orders cannot be predicted prior to their receipt.


4. No Congestion Control

Congestion control techniques are absent from UDP, in contrast to TCP. Because UDP has any congestion control mechanisms, sending a lot of data over it might result in congestion. There are no limitations that can be placed on this.


5. Router Support

Routers handle UDP with a great deal of carelessness. This is due to the fact that a colliding datagram will never be retransmitted. 

 

In addition, UDP packets in a router will be dropped even before TCP packets.