uIP (software)

uIP, pronounced "micro IP", is a minimal TCP/IP stack designed for use in small embedded systems, such as those found in sensor networks, wireless sensor nodes, and low-power microcontrollers. It is written in the C programming language and is designed to be highly portable and require minimal resources, making it suitable for devices with limited memory and processing power.

uIP's primary goal is to provide a functional TCP/IP stack that allows embedded devices to communicate over the internet or local networks, while minimizing the resource footprint of the stack itself. This is achieved through a number of design choices, including using a single global buffer for packet data, and implementing a cooperative multitasking approach where the application must explicitly call uIP functions to process network events.

The features offered by uIP typically include TCP, UDP, ICMP, ARP, and IPv4 support. While it does not implement all features of a full TCP/IP stack, it provides the core functionality needed for many basic network applications. Some common applications of uIP include web servers for small devices, network management interfaces, and data logging to network servers.

One notable aspect of uIP is its licensing. It was initially released under a BSD-style license, which allowed for both commercial and non-commercial use. However, later versions were released under a custom license. Developers should always verify the license terms before using uIP in a project.

Due to its resource constraints and single-buffer design, uIP requires careful handling of network events and data processing. Applications must be written to work within the limitations of the stack, particularly in terms of memory usage and timing constraints. However, its small size and portability have made it a popular choice for embedded networking projects.