Latency vs Jitter in Computer Networks

There are two vital concepts in the world of networking and telecommunications that are used frequently, latency and jitter. There are, on the other hand, two separate components of data transmission efficiency.

Latency

It refers to the time it takes for data to go from the origin to the destination. This delay encompasses various factors such as:

• Processing Delays: The time required for data to be processed by network devices like routers and switches.
• Queueing delays: Time spent in a queue waiting to be transmitted before reaching the link to the destination host.
• Transmission delays: time it takes to push the packet’s bits into the wire.
• Propagation delays: Time the signal takes to propagate through the medium. It would be a signal through an optic cable.

It refers to network’s responsiveness and perceived speed and it is measured in milliseconds. The lower the "latency time" in milliseconds the better it is for applications where the data transfer must be in real-time like online gaming, video conferencing, and VoIP.

Jitter

Jitter is the measure of the variation in latency over time. Rather than being a measure of the total time delay, jitter expresses the inconsistency of this delay. It is essentially the measure of the variability in packet arrival times, which can be caused by

• Network Congestion: High traffic volumes causing packets to take longer paths or experience delays.
• Routing Changes: Dynamic changes in the path that data packets take across the network.
• Variable Path Lengths: Differences in the physical distance data packets must travel.

Jitter, which is measured in milliseconds, affects the quality of real-time communication. If the jitter is high then it may cause packet loss, poor audio and video quality transmission, and data streaming interruptions.Thus, jitter is a significant objective to consider in the performance of networks serving real-time applications.

Key Differences

Conclusion

In summary, latency and jitter are essential metrics for assessing network performance. Understanding the distinction between them is crucial for diagnosing and troubleshooting network issues effectively. By monitoring and managing latency and jitter, network administrators can ensure optimal performance and reliability in communication systems.