Network bottleneck definition
A network bottleneck refers to a situation in which limited capacity or bandwidth constrain the flow of data between two or more devices or components. A bottleneck can occur anywhere in the network, from the network interface card in a computer to the router connecting different network segments. Data bottlenecks can result in reduced network performance and data being delayed or lost.
See also: computer network operations
What causes network bottlenecks:
- Network congestion. Too much traffic can lead to network congestion and cause data to be delayed or lost.
- Insufficient bandwidth. Bottlenecks can occur if a device doesn’t have enough bandwidth to handle the traffic.
- Hardware limitations. Some hardware, such as switches and routers, can have limitations on their capacity to handle traffic.
- Network software issues. Network protocols or firewalls can cause bottlenecks if they are not configured correctly.
- Latency. High latency can cause delays in data transmission and can contribute to network bottlenecks.
- Distance. The physical distance between devices on a network can also contribute to bottlenecks.
How to prevent network bottlenecks:
- Upgrade software or hardware.
- Adjust network configuration.
- Implement Quality of Service policies.
