Network Latencies

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Revision as of 02:00, 13 March 2005 by 83.98.249.209 (talk)
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Description:

What are the driving forces behind network latency? What is latency?

Latency is the amount of time needed for a packet to go from place A to B, and to receive a response packet from B back to A.

[t=0, place=A] send packet to B ==> [t=25, place=B] Sent response to A ===> [t=50, place=A]

Network latency together with bandwidth are the two major harware inhibitors for parallel computing. This holds for clusters and grids, but also for system-on-a-chip solutions like the Cell architecture, which in fact is a cluster/grid on a chip.

Forces Stimulating the Development of Low Latency Infrastructure:

  • Demand for latency sensitive applications:
    • Online computer games
    • high performance computing (Universities, Pharmaceutical, other R&D departments)
    • video conferencing
    • voice over IP
    • Lots of new market opportunities (High Performance Computing for everybody):
      • Complex Stock Market Analysis on Demand
      • Remote control of equipement X
      • Complex whatever, for consumers etc.
  • Optical Fibres


Forces Inhibiting Low Latency Infrastructure Development:

  • Speed of light
  • Network Switching Techology
  • Cost of (Re)placing new Switches and Cables


Paradigms:

Experts:

Timing:

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