UDP Use Cases

User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is widely used in scenarios where speed and efficiency outweigh the need for reliability. Its connectionless nature and minimal overhead make it ideal for real-time applications where low latency is crucial.

Streaming services such as live video broadcasting and audio streaming use UDP to deliver data quickly without waiting for acknowledgment packets, ensuring seamless playback. Similarly, online multiplayer games rely on UDP to transmit game state updates and player actions with minimal delay, even if occasional packets are lost.

Voice over IP (VoIP) and video conferencing applications also leverage UDP to provide smooth communication, prioritizing timely delivery over retransmission of lost packets. Additionally, UDP is used in network services like Domain Name System (DNS) lookups and Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), where fast, one-way communication is sufficient. These use cases highlight UDP's importance in applications where real-time performance and simplicity are paramount.

Links

https://networklessons.com/network-fundamentals/introduction-to-tcp-and-udp