TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)

Reliable connection-oriented protocol that guarantees data delivery. OpenVPN TCP mode is slower but works through firewalls, especially on port 443. Better for stability than UDP on poor connections.

Glossary

What is TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)?

Reliable connection-oriented protocol that guarantees data delivery. OpenVPN TCP mode is slower but works through firewalls, especially on port 443. Better for stability than UDP on poor connections.

Related Terms

OpenVPN

Mature, open-source VPN protocol with proven security through decades of audits. Slower than WireGuard but excellent for firewall bypass using TCP mode on port 443. Gold standard for reliability and compatibility.

Port

Virtual endpoint for network connections, identified by numbers (like 443 for HTTPS or 1194 for OpenVPN). OpenVPN can use port 443 to disguise traffic as regular web browsing, bypassing firewalls.

UDP (User Datagram Protocol)

Fast, connectionless protocol that prioritizes speed over reliability. VPN protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN UDP offer better performance than TCP. Recommended for streaming and gaming.

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