====== Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP) ======
[[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:start| Return to Glossary ]]

**Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP)** is a specialized [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:i:internet]] application [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:p:protocol]] for constrained devices, as defined in [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.b_stds:tech:ietf:7252]]. It enables those constrained devices called "[[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:n:node | Nodes]]" to communicate with the wider Internet using similar protocols. **CoAP** is designed for use between devices on the same constrained network (e.g., low-power, lossy networks), between devices and general nodes on the Internet, and between devices on different constrained networks both joined by an internet. **CoAP** is also being used via other mechanisms, such as [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:s:sms]] on mobile communication networks.

**CoAP** is a service layer protocol that is intended for use in resource-constrained internet devices, such as wireless sensor network nodes. **CoAP** is designed to easily translate to [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:h:http]] for simplified integration with the [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:w:www]], while also meeting specialized requirements such as [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.b_stds:tech:ietf:mult | Multicast]] support, very low overhead, and simplicity. Multicast, low overhead, and simplicity are important for [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:i:iot]] and [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:m:m2m]] communication, which tend to be deeply embedded and have much less memory and power supply than traditional internet devices have. Therefore, efficiency is very important. CoAP can run on most devices that support [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:u:udp]] or a UDP analogue. 

Source: [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constrained_Application_Protocol ]]


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