Data Channel
Data channels in networking are connections that are dedicated to transmitting data between devices or applications. They are designed to handle transfer of bulk data (e.g. media streams) and are distinct from control channels that handle signaling, metadata, or session control information.
Key Aspects
- Data Transfer: Used to transmit user data (files, text, audio, video streams)
- Separation from Control Channels: Control channels are responsible for setup, synchronization, or management of connections
- Protocols: Can operate as reliable (TCP) or unreliable (UDP) channels
- WebRTC: Used for peer-to-peer transfer of data in WebRTC