Specifications

DC-44
Cisco IOS Dial Technologies Configuration Guide
Configuring Asynchronous Serial Traffic
over UDP
This chapter describes how to communicate with a modem using the Asynchronous Serial Traffic over
UDP feature in the following main sections:
• UDPTN Overview
• How to Configure Asynchronous Serial Traffic over UDP
See the “Configuration Examples for UDPTN” section for configuration examples.
To identify the hardware platform or software image information associated with a feature, use the
Feature Navigator on Cisco.com to search for information about the feature or refer to the software
release notes for a specific release. For more information, see the “Identifying Supported Platforms”
section in the “Using Cisco IOS Software” chapter.
For a complete description of the UDP commands mentioned in this chapter, refer to the Cisco IOS Dial
Technologies Command Reference, Release 12.2. To locate documentation of other commands that
appear in this chapter, use the command reference master index or search online.
UDPTN Overview
The Asynchronous Serial Traffic over UDP feature provides the ability to encapsulate asynchronous data
into User Datagram Protocol (UDP) packets and then unreliably send this data without needing to
establish a connection with a receiving device. This process is referred to as UDP Telnet (UDPTN),
although it does not—and cannot—use the Telnet protocol. UDPTN is similar to Telnet in that both are
used to send data, but UDPTN is unique in that it does not require that a connection be established with
a receiving device. You load the data that you want to send through an asynchronous port, and then send
it, optionally, as a multicast or a broadcast. The receiving device(s) can then receive the data whenever
it wants. If the receiver ends reception, the transmission is unaffected.
The Asynchronous Serial Traffic over UDP feature provides a low-bandwidth, low-maintenance method
to unreliably deliver data. This delivery is similar to a radio broadcast: It does not require that you
establish a connection to a destination; rather, it sends the data to whatever device wants to receive it.
The receivers are free to begin or end their reception without interrupting the transmission.
It is a low-bandwidth solution for delivering streaming information for which lost packets are not
critical. Such applications include stock quotes, news wires, console monitoring, and multiuser chat
features.