What type of packets does Dante package audio data inside?

Dante, which stands for Digital Audio Network Through Ethernet, transmits audio data over a network using various types of packets. The most relevant to Dante’s operation is that it encapsulates audio signals within UDP (User Datagram Protocol) packets.

UDP is particularly suitable for real-time audio delivery due to its low latency characteristics and connectionless nature. Unlike TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), which ensures data integrity and order but at the cost of added latency due to handshakes and retransmissions, UDP allows for quicker transmissions, making it ideal for live audio applications where timing is critical.

IP packets create a framework for transmitting data across networks but do not specifically carry audio data like Dante. Conversely, TCP packets are not used by Dante for audio transmission due to the latency they introduce. While frame packets might be an option in broader networking discussions, they are not specifically used to refer to the packet structure that carries Dante audio data.

This highlights how Dante leverages UDP packets to efficiently deliver audio across a network, optimizing for speed and responsiveness, essential in sound reinforcement, broadcasting, and other real-time audio applications.