Packets are the tiny data entities that make sending, downloading, and receiving emails, chats, files, and other online information possible. When packets don’t reach their supposed destination, a packet loss happens. And it could occur for many reasons, redirected by disrupted signals, jammed networks, or even stolen by a cybercriminal. One of the ways you would know why you are experiencing packet loss is by running a test via DeviceTests.
Performing a packet loss test will help you narrow down the bottom line of your interrupted data packets. But this is only the first step in fixing and preventing this issue from happening. Continue reading to learn how to stop packet loss effectively.
What Causes Packet Loss
First, let’s explore the most common reasons why packets lose their way from their destinations.
Outdated Hardware
Network speeds down dramatically if you are using old and broken hardware. Your routers, network, switches, and firewalls rely heavily on their resources. That’s why regular maintenance and upgrade of old hardware are recommended.
Network Congestion
Websites are not the only ones that deal with traffic; even packets do! Say a network does not have enough bandwidth and is already stretched to its limits. This results in network congestion leading to data packets pausing and waiting to be delivered.
However, if the network fails to support all the tasks at hand, it sometimes drops the packets on queue. Do a packet loss test to determine whether network congestion is interrupting the data packets.
Software Glitches
This is the most common reason why you experience loss of data packets. The problem with software errors is they can happen unexpectedly on their own, usually carried after a software update.
Before the abnormal behavior of your network worsens, it’s important to find the bugs and terminate them. You can reboot the software and look for a software patch or update as basic troubleshooting.
Malicious Threats
Drastic slowdown of your network performance and sudden drop in your data packets can indicate a security threat. Cybercriminals can hack through unsecured routers and command the network to drop all packets at once.
A DDoS attack can also keep the packets from moving successfully because of unusually high traffic. It will often result in network crashing, and users cannot access any files. That’s how cybercriminals attack vulnerable networks and steal packets for their own gain.
Wiring Problems
Don’t underestimate the role ethernet cables play in your network-they facilitate tons of data transfer. However, they may be physically weak and can easily be disrupted. Unorganized and dirty ethernet cables, for instance, may interrupt your network without you knowing it.
Overloaded Devices
Devices that are used beyond their allocated capacity are more likely to overload. For example, your system has reached its maximum memory. At first, the system will buffer the packets and make them wait to be delivered. But with limited buffer space, the network will start getting rid of data packets resulting in transmission failure.
If the device overloading is not addressed instantly, the network performance will suffer. The loss of packet data may occur frequently.
Preventing and Stopping Packet Loss
If the problem of packet loss is not handled smartly, it can be threatening to the business. But it’s also worth noting that zero percent packet loss is hard to accomplish. You can instead perform these basic practices to drastically reduce your data packet loss rate.
- Update Software – relying on up-to-date software and operating system on your devices can lower the risks of packet loss.
- Checking physical setup and connections – check the cables that connect to your devices and make sure everything is attached properly. The cables on your ports must be correct and not loose.
- Use a wired connection – using ethernet and fiber optic cables is more reliable compared to using Wi-Fi. The better your network connectivity quality is, the less you are prone to losing packets.
- Upgrade hardware – old network switches and routers that no longer serve you best should be replaced. Upgrading to higher capacity devices and hardware not only minimizes packet loss but will also boost your network performance.
- Restart system – restarting your system may sound so simple, but it can potentially help you bigtime. A quick restart can clear bugs, glitches, and even data packet loss!
- Secure network – Invest in strong firewalls and other security applications for your network. Keep in mind that one cyberattack is already enough to hurt your revenue and business credibility.
- Link Balance – link balance will help you minimize packet loss, especially during the over usage of your network. It switches the traffic to a protection link and prevents the system from dropping packets when bandwidth is limited.
Effects of Packet Loss
Depending on the application, the amount of packet loss effect may vary differently. However, an increasing rate of packet loss will definitely slow down your connection and download speed.
For real-time applications like video streaming and communication apps, the packet loss must not exceed more than 3%. Higher data packet loss will delay conversations and even alter packet string.
Although re-transmission of failed packets is always possible with TCP protocol. It identifies lost data packets and automatically moves them back to where they are supposed to go. For UDP protocol, it’s a bit different. This protocol cannot recognize re-transmission. Therefore, the packets are permanently dropped and lost.
Packet Loss Test
Why is it necessary to run a packet loss test? It’s because packet loss is capable of causing serious network issues, typically on Wi-Fi connections. But the results that you get after testing your packet loss will determine the reason for your issue. It’ll tell you whether something is wrong with the connectivity performance or the delay stems from the UDP or TCP packet loss.
DeviceTests tool offers a comprehensive test to determine your packet loss rate and the reason behind it. Tools like this typically locate where the packet loss starts happening. It monitors the network usage, calculates bandwidth, checks the network IP address, and more. The results could help you improve your connectivity performance and ultimately how to stop packet loss.
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