- A
TCP
Why wrong: TCP is connection-oriented with higher overhead.
- B
UDP
UDP is connectionless and has minimal overhead.
- C
HTTP
Why wrong: HTTP is an application layer protocol.
- D
ICMP
Why wrong: ICMP is used for network diagnostics, not transport.
200-901 Network Fundamentals Practice Question
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of network fundamentals. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An application developer is using a protocol that does not require a connection setup and has minimal header overhead. Which transport protocol is being used?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
UDP
UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is a connectionless transport-layer protocol that does not require a handshake (no SYN/SYN-ACK/ACK) and has minimal header overhead (only 8 bytes, compared to TCP's 20 bytes). This makes it ideal for applications like DNS queries, streaming media, or real-time communications where low latency is more critical than guaranteed delivery.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
TCP
Why it's wrong here
TCP is connection-oriented with higher overhead.
- ✓
UDP
Why this is correct
UDP is connectionless and has minimal overhead.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
HTTP
Why it's wrong here
HTTP is an application layer protocol.
- ✗
ICMP
Why it's wrong here
ICMP is used for network diagnostics, not transport.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between transport-layer and application-layer protocols, so candidates mistakenly choose HTTP (an application protocol) instead of recognizing that the question explicitly asks for the transport protocol.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
UDP's header consists of only four fields: source port, destination port, length, and checksum (each 2 bytes). Because UDP does not maintain connection state or provide retransmission, it is often used in real-time applications like VoIP (RTP over UDP) or online gaming, where a lost packet is preferable to a delayed retransmission. A subtle behavior is that UDP checksum is optional in IPv4 (though mandatory in IPv6), and if set to zero, no integrity checking is performed at the transport layer.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 200-901 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Visual reference
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-901 question test?
Network Fundamentals — This question tests Network Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: UDP — UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is a connectionless transport-layer protocol that does not require a handshake (no SYN/SYN-ACK/ACK) and has minimal header overhead (only 8 bytes, compared to TCP's 20 bytes). This makes it ideal for applications like DNS queries, streaming media, or real-time communications where low latency is more critical than guaranteed delivery.
What should I do if I get this 200-901 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 200-901 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-901 exam.
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