Final answer:
UDP packets travel across the Internet in a similar way as other packets. UDP stands out from other processes because of its lack of reliability and connection-oriented features.
It is a faster and more lightweight option for applications that prioritize speed over reliability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The User Datagram Protocol, or UDP, is a communication protocol used across the Internet for especially time-sensitive transmissions such as video playback or DNS lookups.
When a UDP packet travels across the Internet, it follows a similar path as any other packet. It is first encapsulated in an IP packet, which includes the source and destination IP addresses.
The IP packet is then encapsulated in an Ethernet frame, which includes the source and destination MAC addresses.
What sets UDP apart from other processes is its lack of reliability and connection-oriented features. Unlike TCP, UDP does not establish a connection before sending data and does not provide error checking or re-transmission of lost packets.
This makes UDP a faster and more lightweight option for applications that prioritize speed over reliability, such as streaming video or audio.