- In telecommunication, connectionless describes communication between two network end points in which a message can be sent from one end point to another without prior arrangement. The device at one end of the communication transmits data to the other, without first ensuring that the recipient is available and ready to receive the data. The device sending a message simply sends it addressed to the intended recipient. If there are problems with the transmission, it may be necessary to resend the data several times. The Internet Protocol (IP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) are connectionless protocols.
Connectionless protocols are usually described as stateless because the endpoints have no protocol-defined way to remember where they are in a "conversation" of message exchanges. The alternative to the connectionless approach uses connection-oriented protocols, which are sometimes described as stateful because they can keep track of a conversation.
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Learn more about Network Administration |
| Networking FAQ: These FAQs for networking will help you learn networking basics. |
| Network user management: Use this guide to learn how to manage problem users on your network -- from un-savvy Internet novices to toxic bosses -- to keep your network secure. |
| Troubleshooting -- 'Network Know-How' Chapter 17: Troubleshooting, Chapter 17 of 'Network Know-How,' shows tools and methods that identify and solve network problems. Use this chapter as a tutorial to fixing computer connections. |
| Network management frameworks: FCAPS and ITIL: Network management is a complex topic. Thus far, two frameworks exist that can be of some use for understanding and taming network management: FCAPS and ITIL. |
| Networking podcasts: Listen to our networking podcasts and learn more about technologies you need to know to keep your network running smoothly. |
| The IT Guy: Networking comics: In our networking comic series, the IT guy and his office coworkers encounter day-to-day network challenges. |
| LAST UPDATED: |
10 Apr 2007
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