Question 1

How to integrate KCP into an existing C++ UDP project?

Accepted Answer

Copy ikcp.h and ikcp.c into your project, set up a callback function for UDP output using kcp->output, and regularly call ikcp_update() with a custom clock. You'll need to handle packet sending and receiving manually, as shown in the basic usage examples.

Question 2

KCP vs TCP: which is better for online gaming?

Accepted Answer

KCP is better for real-time PVP games due to lower latency and faster loss recovery, as it sacrifices some bandwidth for speed. TCP is more bandwidth-efficient but can have higher lag spikes in lossy networks, making it less ideal for twitch gameplay.

Question 3

What are the best KCP settings for a mobile network?

Accepted Answer

Use fast mode with ikcp_nodelay(kcp, 1, 10, 2, 1) for minimal delay, and adjust rx_minrto to 10-30ms to detect losses quickly. The wiki recommends tuning based on network conditions, as mobile networks have higher packet loss.

Question 4

Does KCP support encryption for secure tunneling?

Accepted Answer

No, KCP does not include encryption natively. You must layer encryption separately, such as using AES or integrating with projects like kcptun that add SSL/TLS, as mentioned in the documentation on network encryption.

Question 5

How does KCP handle congestion control compared to TCP?

Accepted Answer

KCP offers a non-conceding flow control mode that skips slow start and congestion avoidance for more consistent latency, but this can reduce fairness and bandwidth sharing with TCP traffic, as noted in the protocol description.

Question 6

Can KCP be used with WebRTC or other real-time frameworks?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but it requires adaptation since KCP is a low-level protocol. You'd need to replace or augment WebRTC's SCTP with KCP for lower latency, though this involves significant integration work and isn't plug-and-play.

KCP

What is KCP?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions