When it comes to network communication, two key protocols come into play: TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol). Both serve different purposes, and understanding their differences is crucial for building efficient communication systems.

TCP: Reliable, Connection-Oriented Communication

TCP is all about reliability. It establishes a connection between client and server, ensuring every packet of data arrives safely and in order. This makes it ideal for use cases like:

  • Web Browsing: Ensures data (like HTML, CSS, images) is loaded correctly.
  • File Transfers: Guarantees the complete and accurate delivery of files.
  • Emails: Makes sure all parts of the email reach the recipient.

UDP: Fast, Connection-Less Communication

UDP, on the other hand, is all about speed. It sends data without establishing a connection, making it faster but less reliable than TCP. This is perfect for scenarios where real-time data is more important than complete accuracy:

  • Video Streaming: Minimal delay is critical, even if some data is lost.
  • Online Gaming: Quick updates matter more than occasional packet loss.
  • Voice-over-IP (VoIP): Prioritizes continuous voice flow over packet delivery accuracy.

Project setup

  1. Requirements:
  • Install Node.js (v20.17.0 recommended).
  1. Clone the Project:
git clone https://github.com/9ovindyadav/l4_servers.git && cd l4_servers

TCP Server

  1. About
  • This is a connection-oriented server, ensuring reliable communication between the client and server.
  1. Run the TCP Server:
node tcp_server.js
  1. Connect to the TCP Server:
    • From another terminal or system, use:
telnet localhost 8000
  • After the connection is established:
    • Write a message in the terminal.
    • The message will be displayed in the server terminal.
  • Note: If the server crashes, the connection will be lost.

UDP Server

  1. About

    • This is a connection-less server, offering fast, but potentially unreliable communication.

  2. Run the UDP Server:

node udp_server.js
  1. Connect to the UDP Server:
  • From another terminal or system, use:
echo "Hii" | nc -w1 -u localhost 8001
  • After sending a message:
    • The message will appear in the server terminal.

Learning Resource

For a deeper dive into building these servers with Node.js, I found this tutorial really helpful: