In today’s day and age, when everything is fast-paced, why shouldn’t your connection be? Low latency connectivity is a concern for many people wishing to get their job done quickly and easily.
Some of the beginners reading this might wonder, what is low latency? Low latency is a term that describes how a computer network processes large chunks of data in a given time. In this case, the process should have minimum delays (hence the term latency).
To put it more simply, imagine you are at home watching a live transmission of a broadcast. You are enjoying what you are watching as much as the audience sitting in person. But there’s a catch, the audience experiences everything 30 seconds before you.
This delay is what we term latency. If your data transport channel is fast, you’ll have a very short delay between the actual studio recording and the broadcast you are watching.
Why Would One Need Low Latency?
Who wants to wait for ages for their data to process? Everyone wants a fast fix that is reliable and fault-proof. There are many circumstances where low latency is desirable.
Most times, you’d heard of gamers complaining about ‘lag’ due to server latency and many other factors. This is just one of the more classic examples where low latency is a great option to have at hand.
Do note that a few seconds of latency is very typical. You can never expect to see the thunder and hear the thunder at the same time.
How Fast is Low Latency?
This is a very subjective term. For HLS systems, latencies of 30 seconds or below are considered normal, whereas, for satellite-based broadcasts, a latency of 5 seconds is considered normal. Although 5 seconds does not seem like a long time, some people need an even faster channel for data transmission. In this case, newer, more advanced systems like near real-time and ultra-low latency systems have emerged.
What Kind of Latency Is Convenient For You?
Now, the level of latency you should aim for greatly depends on the purpose behind its use. If you are going to be holding a conference that requires zero delays, then your channels need to be extremely fast. In this case, near to real-time latency is the go-to option.
On the other hand, if you aim to use the channel for interactive content (games, puzzles, etc.), a server with average low latency is desirable.
Types of Latency Options
There are several options to pick from. Each is different and varies greatly depending upon your use. First, there is the standard HTTP latency; this is ideal for people using one-way streaming where a delay of up to 45 seconds is considered okay. Secondly, we have reduced latency. On the other end of the spectrum is the low latency and near real-time option. Low latency is the go-to option for game live streaming and e-sports sections. On the other hand, near real-time is an excellent choice for web conferences and controlling drones.
