TCP and UDP OSI Layers | Network+ Exam Answer

Which of the following OSI layers do TCP and UDP operate within?

A.

Data link

B.

Network

C.

Session

D.

Transport

E.

Presentation

F.

Application.

D.

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol) are both transport layer protocols, which means they operate at the fourth layer of the OSI model, known as the Transport layer.

The Transport layer is responsible for end-to-end data transmission between two hosts on a network. This layer provides reliable and unreliable data transport services to the upper layers, and it ensures that data is transmitted accurately, without errors or loss.

TCP is a connection-oriented protocol, which means it establishes a reliable, end-to-end connection before data transmission can occur. TCP provides flow control, congestion control, and error detection and correction mechanisms. It is commonly used for applications that require reliable data transmission, such as email, file transfer, and web browsing.

UDP, on the other hand, is a connectionless protocol, which means it does not establish a connection before data transmission. UDP provides a best-effort delivery service, which means it does not guarantee the reliable delivery of data. It is commonly used for applications that require fast and efficient data transmission, such as streaming video and voice over IP (VoIP).

In summary, TCP and UDP both operate within the Transport layer of the OSI model, which is responsible for reliable and unreliable data transport between two hosts on a network.