Csend

Csend is a command-line utility designed for sending files over a network using the UDP protocol. It is part of the BSD suite of utilities and is commonly used in Unix-like operating systems. The tool is particularly useful for quickly transferring small files or data between systems on the same local network.

Csend operates by listening on a specified port for incoming connections. When a file is to be sent, the csend command is invoked with the file name and the destination address. The file is then transmitted to the specified port on the destination machine, which must be running a corresponding receiving utility, such as crecv. This process is straightforward and does not require any complex setup or configuration.

One of the key advantages of csend is its simplicity and speed. Since it uses UDP, it can be faster than TCP-based file transfer methods for small files, as UDP does not establish a connection before sending data. However, this speed comes with the trade-off of potential data loss, as UDP does not guarantee delivery.

Csend is typically used in scenarios where speed is more critical than reliability, such as in local network environments where the risk of data loss is minimal. It is also useful for quick transfers of small files, such as configuration data or scripts, without the need for setting up a more complex file transfer protocol.

In summary, csend is a simple and efficient tool for sending files over a network using UDP. Its ease of use and speed make it a valuable utility for certain types of network file transfers, particularly in local network environments.