UDP is the correct choice because it is the transport layer protocol used by VoIP and streaming video to achieve low latency in real-time communication. Unlike TCP, UDP is connectionless and does not require retransmission of lost packets, which is essential for applications where a slight delay is more disruptive than occasional packet loss. On the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam, this concept often appears in questions contrasting UDP and TCP for real-time services, with a common trap being to select TCP because it is more reliable—but reliability here introduces unacceptable latency. Remember that UDP sacrifices guaranteed delivery for speed, making it ideal for voice and video streams. A helpful memory tip: UDP stands for “U Don’t need to retransmit” for real-time data.
N10-009 Networking Concepts Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of networking concepts. 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.
Which transport layer protocol is used by VoIP and streaming video because it provides low latency and does not require retransmission?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
UDP
VoIP and streaming video use UDP (User Datagram Protocol) because it is connectionless and provides low-latency transmission without retransmission of lost packets. This is critical for real-time applications where a slight delay is more disruptive than occasional packet loss.
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 provides reliable delivery with retransmission, which introduces latency and is not suitable for real-time streaming.
✓
UDP
Why this is correct
UDP is connectionless, low-latency, and does not retransmit lost packets, making it ideal for VoIP and streaming video.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
ICMP
Why it's wrong here
ICMP is used for diagnostic purposes like ping, not for transporting application data.
✗
IGMP
Why it's wrong here
IGMP is used for multicast group management, not for direct data transport.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that 'reliable delivery is always better,' leading candidates to choose TCP, but the trap is that real-time applications prioritize low latency over guaranteed delivery, making UDP the correct choice.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
UDP's minimal header (8 bytes) and lack of flow control or sequencing overhead allow it to deliver packets with the lowest possible latency, making it ideal for RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) encapsulation of audio/video streams. In practice, applications like VoIP can tolerate up to 1% packet loss without noticeable degradation, but a TCP retransmission would cause a noticeable gap or stutter. Real-world streaming services often use adaptive bitrate algorithms over UDP to adjust quality based on network conditions rather than relying on retransmission.
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 N10-009 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this N10-009 question in full detail.
Networking Concepts — This question tests Networking Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: UDP — VoIP and streaming video use UDP (User Datagram Protocol) because it is connectionless and provides low-latency transmission without retransmission of lost packets. This is critical for real-time applications where a slight delay is more disruptive than occasional packet loss.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 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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Question Discussion
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