< h2 >Definition of Latency< /h2 >

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Latency, in the context of computer networks and systems, refers to the delay or time taken for data to travel from the source to the destination. It is the measure of time elapsed between initiating an action and receiving a response. Latency is commonly measured in milliseconds (ms) and is an important factor in determining the responsiveness and speed of a network or system. It is primarily affected by the distance between the sender and the receiver, network congestion, and processing delays.
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< h3 >Factors Affecting Latency< /h3 >

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< li >Distance between the sender and the receiver: The physical distance that data needs to traverse can significantly impact latency. Longer distances generally result in higher latencies due to the time taken for data to travel across the network.
< li >Network congestion: Latency can increase when the network is congested, meaning there is a high volume of data traffic, and the network resources become strained. This congestion leads to delays in transmitting and receiving data.
< li >Processing delays: Latency can be caused by processing delays at various points in the network or system. These delays occur when data packets are being processed, buffered, or waiting in queues to be processed by devices such as routers, switches, or servers.
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< h3 >Types of Latency< /h3 >

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< li >Round-Trip Latency (RTT): It measures the time taken for a data packet to travel from the source to the destination and back to the source. RTT is commonly used to measure latency in network communication and is essential in determining the quality of real-time applications like voice and video calls.
< li >One-Way Latency: It refers to the time taken for data to travel from the source to the destination without considering the return path. This type of latency is often used in situations where only one-directional communication is relevant, such as content streaming or file downloads.
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< h3 >Implications of Latency< /h3 >

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High latency can have significant implications on the performance and user experience of various applications. It can cause noticeable delays and lags, affecting tasks such as web browsing, online gaming, video streaming, and real-time communication. In sensitive applications like online trading or telemedicine, even small increases in latency can lead to considerable financial or health-related consequences. Minimizing latency is crucial to ensuring efficient and reliable network communication.
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