semiopedia.org
Network Latency

Network Latency

The time delay between when data is sent and received across a computer network, measured from initiation of transmission to completion of reception.

Network Latency

Network latency represents the time delay experienced during data transmission across computer networks. This delay, often measured in milliseconds (ms), is a fundamental concept in understanding network performance and user experience.

Components of Latency

Several factors contribute to overall network latency:

  1. Propagation Delay

    • Physical time for signals to travel through the transmission medium
    • Limited by the speed of light in fiber optic cables
    • Affected by geographical distance between endpoints

  2. Processing Delay

  3. Queuing Delay

Impact on Applications

Different applications have varying sensitivity to latency:

Measurement and Monitoring

Organizations track latency through various methods:

Optimization Techniques

Several strategies can help reduce network latency:

  1. Infrastructure Improvements

  2. Protocol Optimization

  3. Application Design

Business Impact

Network latency directly affects:

Understanding and managing network latency is crucial for modern digital operations, as it impacts everything from user satisfaction to business revenue. Organizations must continuously monitor and optimize their networks to maintain competitive advantage in an increasingly connected world.