What is Network Latency?
Network latency refers to the delay in the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another in a network. It is a crucial factor in determining the performance of internet connections and can have a significant impact on the user experience. Latency is typically measured in milliseconds and can be influenced by various factors such as the distance between the sender and receiver, the quality of the network infrastructure, and the amount of traffic on the network.
Causes of Network Latency
There are several factors that can contribute to network latency, including:
- Physical distance between devices
- Network congestion
- Packet loss
- Routing inefficiencies
Effects of Network Latency
High network latency can result in slow loading times for websites, buffering during streaming video, and delays in online gaming. It can also impact real-time communication applications such as video conferencing and VoIP calls. Minimizing network latency is essential for ensuring smooth and efficient data transmission across networks.