An enterprise network relies on standard Syslog services over UDP port 514 to collect event logs from remote edge switches. When comparing transport protocol characteristics, which header feature directly accounts for UDP's lower processing overhead compared to TCP?
- AUDP incorporates sequence numbers in its header to allow receiver packet reordering without transmitting acknowledgments.
- UDP utilizes a fixed 8-byte header that omits fields for connection state tracking, flow control, and acknowledgments.Answer
- CUDP dynamically varies its header size between 8 and 20 bytes depending on network congestion levels.
- DUDP relies on the underlying IP layer header fields to negotiate sliding window sizes and perform retransmissions.
Answer
UDP utilizes a fixed 8-byte header that omits fields for connection state tracking, flow control, and acknowledgments.
UDP is designed for low-overhead, best-effort transport. Its header contains only 4 fields totaling 8 bytes: Source Port (2 bytes), Destination Port (2 bytes), Length (2 bytes), and Checksum (2 bytes). By leaving reliability, sequencing, and flow control to application layers or accepting packet loss, UDP avoids the 20-byte minimum header and state maintenance required by TCP.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
TCP vs UDP Header Overhead and Protocol Mechanics