# item.guide
Side-by-Side Comparison Diagnostics & Protocols

DoIP vs. OBD-II Connector

Comparing 2 standards across 13 specifications. 13 key differences identified.

Comparing:
DoIP
OBD-II Connector

Diagnostics over Internet Protocol (DoIP, standardized under ISO 13400) replaces slow serial buses with high-speed Automotive Ethernet (100BASE-TX, 100BASE-T1, 1000BASE-T1) using standard TCP/IP and UDP protocols. Operating over TCP Port 13400, it accelerates ECU firmware reflashing and over-the-air (OTA) software updates by up to 100× compared to legacy CAN bus.

View full DoIP spec sheet →

The SAE J1962 Connector (standardized under ISO 15031-3, commonly called the OBD-II Data Link Connector / DLC) is the mandatory 16-pin trapezoidal diagnostic interface installed in passenger vehicles since 1996. Located within 2 feet of the steering column, it provides standard battery power, grounds, and multi-protocol network lines (CAN Bus, K-Line, KWP2000, J1850).

View full OBD-II Connector spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

13 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
Standardization
ISO 13400-2:2019 (Transport protocol and network layer services) SAE J1962 / ISO 15031-3 / EOBD (Europe) / JOBD (Japan)
Physical Layer
100BASE-TX (Standard twisted-pair Ethernet) or 100BASE-T1 / 1000BASE-T1 (Single-pair Automotive Ethernet)
Network Port
TCP Port 13400 (Diagnostic message transport) & UDP Port 13400 (Vehicle discovery and routing activation)
OBD-II DLC Activation Pin
Pin 8 on OBD port is driven to +12V or pulled down to wake up the vehicle's DoIP Ethernet gateway
Throughput Advantage
100 Mbps to 1 Gbps throughput, roughly two to three orders of magnitude faster than 500 kbps CAN bus for large ECU firmware transfers
Vehicle Identification Handshake
Vehicle Announcement Message broadcasts VIN (17 chars), Logical Address (2 bytes), and MAC address via UDP broadcast
OEM Deployments
BMW (ENET cable / ISTA), Mercedes-Benz (Xentry DoIP), Volvo (VIDA), Porsche, modern VAG platform (ODIS)
Pin 4 & Pin 5 (Grounds)
Pin 4: Chassis Ground | Pin 5: Signal / Sensor Ground
Pin 16 (Battery Power)
Unswitched permanent +12V (or +24V) battery power from vehicle fuse block (max 4A continuous)
Pin 6 & Pin 14 (ISO 15765-4 CAN)
Pin 6: CAN High (CAN_H, 2.5V to 3.5V) | Pin 14: CAN Low (CAN_L, 2.5V to 1.5V)
Pin 7 & Pin 15 (ISO 9141-2 / KWP2000)
Pin 7: K-Line single-wire serial data | Pin 15: L-Line initialization line
Pin 2 & Pin 10 (SAE J1850)
Pin 2: J1850 VPW (+7V GM bus) / PWM (+) | Pin 10: J1850 PWM (-) (Ford 41.6 kbps)
Type A vs Type B Keying
Type A (12V passenger cars: uninterrupted center alignment tab) vs Type B (24V commercial: split center tab prevents 12V scanner burnout)