4 reasons of latency :
Processing Delay : time the packet is correctly received at the head node of the link and the time the packet is assigned to an outgoing link queue for transmission. The processing delay is independent of the amount of traffic handled by the corresponding node.
Queueing Delay : time between the moment the packet is assigned to a queue for transmission and the moment it starts being transmitted. Packet waits while other packets in the transmission queue are transmitted.
Transmission Delay : time between the moments that the first and last bits of the packet are transmitted.
Propagation Delay : time between the moment the last bit is transmitted at the head node of the link and the moment the last bit is received at the tail node.
Impacts of Network Latency on Apps
Web Browsing : Users may experience delays when requesting web content → latency can affect the time it takes to establish a connection with the server, retrieve resources, and render the web page.
Real-time Communication : Apps such video conferencing, online gaming, etc. → latency can cause audio and video transmission delays, leading to noticeable lags, poor synchronization, and communication difficulties.
Cloud-Bases Apps (SAAS) : Rely on network connectivity to access remote servers and resources → Latency can impact the response time of these applications, making them feel sluggish and unresponsive.
Online Transactions : Apps such e-commerce → latency can introduce delays when submitting requests, processing payment transactions, or retrieving data, potentially leading to abandoned transactions and dissatisfied customers.
Content Delivery : Apps such media streaming services, file-sharing platforms → latency can cause buffering issues, interruptions, and slow download/upload speeds, negatively impacting the user experience.
How to reduce Network Latency ?
Edge computing : placing computing resources and data storage closer to the edge of the network, near the source of data generation or the end-users. By reducing the physical distance between the data source and processing, edge computing helps minimize latency by reducing the round-trip time to centralized data centers.
Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) : distributed networks of servers strategically placed in various locations worldwide. They store and deliver content to users based on their geographic proximity.
Network Optimization Techniques : techniques include protocol optimizations (such TCP optimization), compression techniques, and data caching.
Low-Latency Networking Protocols : such the QUIC (Quick UDP Internet Connections) protocol is designed to minimize latency,…
5G Technology : 5G’s reduced latency is achieved through technologies like network slicing, edge/fog computing, and advanced radio access architecture and techniques such as Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN).