What is the value of the 'Protocol' field when UDP is utilized?

The value of the 'Protocol' field when UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is utilized is 17. In the context of the Internet Protocol (IP), each protocol is assigned a unique numeric identifier in the protocol field of the IP header. UDP, being one of the core transport layer protocols, is identified by the value 17.

This value is standard across network communications, allowing routers and devices to recognize and appropriately handle UDP packets as they traverse the network. In contrast, other common protocols have different identifiers; for example, TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is assigned a value of 6 and ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) has a value of 1. Knowing these values is crucial for networking professionals as they help in identifying and troubleshooting network traffic and protocol behavior.