WAN links
Actually, network packets may traverse several routers and WAN links to reach the destination network, and each router traversed is called a hop. In the context of packet analysis, you should be aware that WAN links can introduce packet delivery delays or latency due to the following four major factors:
- Physical speed-of-light propagation delay: This is the amount of time required for electrical or light signals to travel across copper/fiber cables over long distances.
- Network routing/geographical distance: The WAN link routes are never in a straight line between points. They have to traverse major telephony switching centers and route along railways, roads, and other opportunistic paths.
- Serialization delay into and across WAN links: The WAN links are often slower speed links, and it takes a finite amount of time to send packet data across these links one bit at a time.
- Queuing delays: In network device buffers, including additional delays that may be induced by Quality of Service...