Latency
Latency is defined as the time delay between the moment something is initiated, and the moment one of its effects begins or becomes detectable. In the IP world, latency is how long it takes for your packets to reach their destination. Latency can be affected by several different factors including: physical path, transmission medium, routers, switches, and other networking equipment.
- Physical path - This very simply is how far the packets must travel to reach their end destination. If the beginning point for your packets is in Los Angeles and the end point is in London, England, it will take longer for your packets to reach their end point than if you sent packets to an end location across the street. Another analogy would be if you were flying to New York from Chicago, would it be faster to fly on a direct flight or to make a stop in Toronto and Montreal, before you reach New York. IP packets are no different. The nLayer Global IP Network has been designed to provide customers with the fastest routes between major cities and peering locations available. This insures that your packets reach their end destination, as quickly as possible.
- Transmission medium - The medium which your packet travels can introduce some delay. Depending on the medium and the transmission methods being used, high latency can be experienced. The nLayer Global IP Network uses OC-192 and 10GB Ethernet connections between POP's and 10GB connections to peers to insure that your packets are delivered via the fastest, most reliable connections.
- Routers and Switches - Routers and switches can add latency if they are not working correctly. The nLayer Global IP Network uses the latest hardware from Juniper and Cisco, which greatly reduces the risk of latency caused by routers and switches.
