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Network Bandwidth vs. Network Latency

1. Definition of Bandwidth and Latency​

  • Bandwidth: Refers to the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over a network in a unit of time, usually measured in Mbps or Gbps. Bandwidth can be imagined as the number of lanes on a highway - the more lanes (higher bandwidth), the more vehicles (data) can pass through simultaneously, but this doesn't mean each vehicle will reach its destination faster.

  • Latency: Refers to the time it takes for data to travel from the sender to the receiver, usually measured in milliseconds (ms). Latency can be compared to the time it takes for a vehicle to travel from start to finish - if the distance is far or there are many traffic lights (network hops), vehicles will take longer to reach their destination.

The core difference is that bandwidth determines the throughput of data transmission, while latency determines the speed at which data arrives.

2. Why Doesn't High Bandwidth Always Mean Fast Internet?​

Even with high bandwidth, network experience can still be poor due to:

  • High Latency: Complex data transmission paths or long physical distances (like accessing foreign websites) cause slow responses.
  • Network Congestion: During peak hours when many people use the network, data has to queue for transmission.
  • Server Limitations: Slow processing speed of the target website or service's server affects loading time.

3. Why Are Games More Affected by Latency?​

Online games don't require high bandwidth but demand low latency. High latency can cause:

  • Operation Delay: After clicking, the reaction in the game lags.
  • Desynchronization: In multiplayer games, your position may not match what other players see.

4. Ticket Booking, Live Streaming: Which Needs Bandwidth vs. Latency?​

  • Ticket Booking: Low latency is crucial to ensure requests reach the server quickly. Bandwidth has minimal impact.
  • Live Streaming: Primarily depends on bandwidth; high-resolution videos require higher bandwidth (e.g., 4K needs over 20Mbps).

5. Why Can Limiting Each User's Bandwidth Actually Reduce Latency and Improve Experience?​

  • In situations with limited total bandwidth, preventing excessive bandwidth usage is important: If some users download or upload large amounts of data (like watching 4K videos or P2P downloading), they squeeze others' bandwidth, causing network congestion. Appropriate limitations can reduce congestion, making high-latency-demand applications (like games, video calls, ticket booking) more stable.