Multi-Tech Systems MVPGSM-2 User Manual

Page of 94
Chapter 6: Using the Software 
Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. 
MVPGSM 
71 
IP Statistics 
 
IP statistics screen 
UDP versus TCP.  (User Datagram Protocol versus Transmission Control Protocol).  UDP provides unguaranteed, 
connectionless transmission of data across an IP network. By contrast, TCP provides reliable, connection-
oriented transmission of data. 
Both TCP and UDP split data into packets called “datagrams.”  However, TCP includes extra headers in the 
datagram to enable retransmission of lost packets and reassembly of packets into their correct order if they 
arrive out of order.  UDP does not provide this.  Lost UDP packets are irretrievable; that is, out-of-order UDP 
packets cannot be reconstituted in their proper order. 
Despite these obvious disadvantages, UDP packets can be transmitted much faster than TCP packets -- as much 
as three times faster. In certain applications, like audio and video data transmission, the need for high speed 
outweighs the need for verified data integrity.  Sound or pictures often remain intelligible despite a certain 
amount of lost or disordered data packets (which comes through as static).