Layer4Protokolle

Layer 4 protocols operate at the transport layer of the OSI model, responsible for end-to-end communication between applications on different hosts. Their primary function is to manage the flow of data, ensure reliability, and provide segmentation of data into manageable packets for transmission. Two of the most well-known Layer 4 protocols are TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol).

TCP is a connection-oriented protocol that establishes a reliable connection before data transmission. It guarantees ordered delivery of data, handles retransmission of lost packets, and manages flow control to prevent overwhelming the receiver. This reliability makes TCP suitable for applications like web browsing, email, and file transfer where data integrity is crucial.

UDP, in contrast, is a connectionless protocol. It offers no guarantees regarding delivery, order, or error checking. UDP is faster than TCP because it has less overhead. It is often used for applications where speed is more important than absolute reliability, such as streaming media, online gaming, and DNS queries. The choice between TCP and UDP depends on the specific requirements of the application.