Subject: Internet of Everything Class/Sem: BEIT/VII
Module 4
CoAP-Constrained Application Protocol
This protocol is upgraded version of HTTP. It is designed for resource constained
applications such as IoT/WSN/M2M etc. It is based on UDP. It uses ACK messages so
that it will become reliable like TCP. It has low latency and consumes lesser power
compare to HTTP.
HTTP-Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
Figure-1 depicts HTTP protocol used between client and server as unsecured
connection. HTTPS version of HTTP is used to provide secured connection. HTTP is
used mainly to view web pages or websites. The protocol is designed for internet based
applications and devices where power and any other constaints are not there.It is TCP
based protocol.
Following is the tabular difference between CoAP and HTTP protocols.
Feature CoAP HTTP
Protocol It uses UDP. It uses TCP.
Network layer It uses IPv6 along with 6LoWPAN. It uses IP layer.
Multicast support It supports. It does not support.
CoAP uses both client-Server & Publish- HTTP uses client and server
Architecture model Subscribe models. architecture.
Synchronous
communication CoAP does not need this. HTTP needs this.
More overhead compare to CoAP
Overhead Less overhead and it is simple. and it is complex.
Designed for resource constrained Designed for internet devices
networking devices such as where there is no issue of any
Application WSN/IoT/M2M. resources.
