What Is Lightweight User Datagram Protocol (UDP Lite)?

If you've ever opened a can of worms, you know that the result is usually pretty messy. And if you've ever opened a can of worms, you know that the result is usually pretty messy. But what if your worms could be more like cans of krill? We're talking about those little guys who get eaten by whales and sharks but are so tiny that they're almost invisible. That's what Lightweight User Datagram Protocol (UDP) Lite does for your packets. It makes them microscopic enough to slip through gaps in the firewall security system of your computer. It also makes them small enough for routers to ignore when deciding which ones to discard because they're too big, too small, too close together, or whatever other reason they might have for not wanting to deal with your data. UDP is like a one-night stand. It's fun, fast and easy, and you don't have to worry about getting an STD from the person. But if you want to keep seeing that person again, you'll have to play by their rules—which is where TCP comes in. TCP is like a long-term relationship: you're not just getting instant gratification; you're making sure that your connection stays alive over time. UDP-Lite is like UDP, but with a twist: It's an untried way of looking at things. UDP-Lite is based on UDP, and it's also similar to UDP in that it can be used to transport data between two hosts. But unlike UDP, which either protects none or all of a packet with a checksum, UDP-Lite allows the implementation of partial checksums that cover only a part of the datagram, delivering partially corrupted packets. So if you are looking for an alternative to standard UDP in your next project, UDP-Lite could be just what you need!