Network latency refers to the delay that occurs when data is transmitted between devices over a network. The main causes include:
Physical Distance: The farther data has to travel, the longer it takes. For example, accessing a server on another continent will have higher latency than a local server.
Example: A user in Europe connecting to a server in Asia will experience more latency than connecting to one in Europe.
Network Congestion: When too much data is being sent over a network, packets may be delayed or queued, increasing latency.
Example: During peak hours, internet speeds slow down due to high traffic, causing delays in loading websites or streaming videos.
Router and Switch Delays: Each network device (routers, switches) processes and forwards data, adding slight delays.
Example: A complex network with multiple hops between the source and destination will have higher cumulative latency.
Propagation Delay: The time it takes for a signal to travel through a medium (e.g., fiber optic cables, air for wireless).
Example: Signals traveling through satellite links experience higher propagation delays compared to terrestrial connections.
Serialization Delay: The time taken to convert data into bits for transmission. Larger packets take longer to serialize.
Example: Sending a large file over a slow connection will have higher serialization delay.
Processing Delay: The time taken by devices (like firewalls or servers) to process incoming data.
Example: A firewall inspecting each packet for security threats can introduce processing delays.
For businesses needing low-latency solutions, Tencent Cloud offers high-performance networking services like Global Accelerator, which optimizes data routes to reduce latency, and Private Network (VPC) for secure, low-latency internal communication. Additionally, Content Delivery Network (CDN) reduces latency by caching content closer to users.