In ECET 2026 CSE, questions from Computer Networks are frequent. Protocols like TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol) are must-know topics. This blog explains their differences, features, and common exam questions.
📘 Concept Notes
🌐 TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)
- Connection-oriented: A connection must be established before data transfer.
- Reliable: Guarantees delivery, order of packets, and error checking.
- Features: Flow control, congestion control, acknowledgments (ACKs).
- Example Applications: Web browsing (HTTP/HTTPS), email (SMTP), file transfer (FTP).
🌐 UDP (User Datagram Protocol)
- Connectionless: No setup required before sending data.
- Unreliable: No guarantee of delivery or ordering.
- Features: Lightweight, faster, low overhead.
- Example Applications: Online gaming, video streaming, VoIP, DNS.
⚙️ Key Differences Between TCP & UDP
| Feature | TCP | UDP |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | Connection-oriented | Connectionless |
| Reliability | Reliable (ACK, retransmission) | Unreliable |
| Order | Maintains order | No order guaranteed |
| Speed | Slower (overhead) | Faster (low overhead) |
| Error Checking | Yes | Yes (but no recovery) |
| Applications | HTTP, FTP, SMTP | DNS, VoIP, Streaming |
⚡ Formula – Throughput
Throughput of a network connection can be calculated as:
📐 Example
- If TCP delivers
in 
, then:
🔟 10 Expected MCQs – ECET 2026
Q1. TCP stands for:
A) Transmission Communication Protocol
B) Transmission Control Protocol
C) Transport Control Program
D) Transfer Communication Protocol
Q2. UDP stands for:
A) User Datagram Protocol
B) Universal Data Protocol
C) Unified Datagram Program
D) User Data Program
Q3. Which protocol is connection-oriented?
A) UDP
B) TCP
C) IP
D) ARP
Q4. Which protocol is faster?
A) TCP
B) UDP
C) Both equal
D) None
Q5. TCP ensures reliability using:
A) Port numbers
B) Checksums only
C) Acknowledgments and retransmissions
D) None
Q6. Example of TCP-based application:
A) DNS
B) FTP
C) VoIP
D) Online gaming
Q7. Example of UDP-based application:
A) Email
B) Web browsing
C) DNS
D) File transfer
Q8. Which maintains packet order?
A) TCP
B) UDP
C) Both
D) None
Q9. Throughput formula is:
A) 
B) 
C) 
D) None
Q10. Which protocol is best for real-time applications?
A) TCP
B) UDP
C) Both
D) IP
✅ Answer Key
| Q.No | Answer |
|---|---|
| Q1 | B |
| Q2 | A |
| Q3 | B |
| Q4 | B |
| Q5 | C |
| Q6 | B |
| Q7 | C |
| Q8 | A |
| Q9 | B |
| Q10 | B |
🧠 Explanations
- Q1 → B: TCP = Transmission Control Protocol.
- Q2 → A: UDP = User Datagram Protocol.
- Q3 → B: TCP is connection-oriented.
- Q4 → B: UDP is faster due to no overhead.
- Q5 → C: TCP uses ACK and retransmission.
- Q6 → B: FTP works on TCP.
- Q7 → C: DNS uses UDP.
- Q8 → A: TCP preserves order.
- Q9 → B: Throughput = Data ÷ Time.
- Q10 → B: UDP is used in real-time apps like VoIP.
🎯 Why Practice Matters
- CN questions in ECET are mostly direct and conceptual.
- TCP vs UDP is a repeat topic every year.
- Understanding differences helps in solving multiple-choice questions easily.
