With the increasing reliance on technology and the internet, it’s important that businesses ensure a fast, stable, and secure network infrastructure. But there are bound to be some hiccups. Imagine being on an important video call with the client and the video lags. Or perhaps, consider an online store that loses customers because its pages take too long to load.
These scenarios are all too common and are often caused by network congestion—a growing concern for IT teams. For Filipino businesses, understanding its causes and quick fixes is crucial to maintaining productivity and operational efficiency.
Let’s learn what network congestion is and how to troubleshoot it.
Understanding Network Congestion
Network congestion occurs when network nodes and links are overloaded with data. This backup of traffic happens when too many data requests are made at the same time over a network that doesn’t have enough bandwidth capacity to handle it.
Signs of Network Congestion
While temporary, it indicates a deeper problem in your network. When does network congestion occur? Here are a few signs to watch out for:
High Latency
High latency, or lag, is the delay between a user’s action and the network’s response. This can make real-time applications like video calls or online gaming frustrating to use.
Packet Loss
Data travels in small packets, and with congestion, some packets might not reach their destination, causing glitches or errors. Packet loss can lead to choppy audio or video, reduced throughput, and overall poor network performance.
Jitter
Jitter refers to the variation in the delay of packets. When traffic becomes unstable, it causes jitter and network congestion. Your devices may try to keep up with the changes in traffic patterns and create a cascading effect.
Bandwidth Limitation
Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can flow through a network connection at a given time. When it reaches full capacity, such as when certain users or devices on the network utilize hog more bandwidth than necessary, it could result in network congestion.
Connection Timeouts
Connection timeouts occur when a network request takes too long to complete, causing applications to fail or web pages to stop loading.
Unreliable Network Performance
An unreliable network can manifest in various ways, including intermittent connectivity, slow download and upload speeds, and frequent disconnections.
Causes of Network Congestion
The first step to troubleshooting common network issues related to congestion is to identify their root cause. Network layer congestion primarily relates to two critical issues: throughput and delay.
Throughput
Throughput refers to the amount of data successfully transmitted over the network in a given period. Congestion reduces throughput because data packets get delayed, dropped, or require retransmission.
This can significantly affect business operations, especially those dependent on high-speed data transfer.
Delay
Delay is the time it takes for data to travel from the source to the destination. High levels of network congestion increase delay because data packets queue up in the network’s routers and switches, waiting for available bandwidth to move forward. This can be particularly detrimental for real-time applications such as VoIP, video conferencing, and online gaming, where timely delivery of data packets is crucial.
Here are other common reasons why network congestion occurs.
Limited Bandwidth
Limited bandwidth is the most fundamental cause of network congestion. If a network doesn’t have enough bandwidth, it can become overwhelmed when multiple users or devices are trying to access it at the same time.
High Bandwidth Consumption
The more devices and users are connected to a network, the more data is being transmitted. Whenever a large amount of traffic is traveling through your network simultaneously, data packets can get backed up on their routes. Too much activity puts a strain on the available bandwidth, leading to congestion during peak usage times.
Outdated Hardware
Businesses often overlook regular updates and maintenance of their network equipment. Outdated routers, switches, and servers might not be able to handle the increased data processing demands, leading to bottlenecks.
Malicious Attacks
Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks can overload a network with junk traffic, causing congestion. However, it’s not the underlying cause but rather exploits existing limitations.
Limited Internet Infrastructure
Many areas in the Philippines still lack fiber optic cables, which offer faster and more reliable internet. Instead, there is a high dependence on older copper cables, which have limited bandwidth and are more prone to degradation.
Troubleshooting Network Congestion
Due to the nature of your operations, businesses experience large volumes of network traffic every day. IT teams must be equipped with the skills and knowledge on how to prevent network congestion to keep the network optimized.
1. Monitor Network Traffic
By regularly monitoring network traffic, you can get insights into how each device is performing and how much bandwidth is consumed. Monitoring tools provide real-time data on network performance and allow you to detect unusual traffic patterns or spikes in usage. With this information, you can pinpoint the problem area and take the necessary steps to address it.
2. Prioritize Network Traffic
Businesses can manage bandwidth usage by prioritizing critical applications, setting bandwidth limits for non-essential users, and scheduling large data transfers during off-peak hours.
3. Improve Your Bandwidth
Perhaps the simplest solution to network congestion is to increase the available bandwidth so that the network itself will be able to handle more data. To improve your bandwidth, consider the following options:
- Update routers to the latest settings
- Use wired connections (Ethernet)
- Schedule large downloads or updates during off-peak hours
- Utilize cloud storage
- Keep software applications up to date
- Use broadband accelerators to boost signal
- Position wireless routers away from physical obstructions
- Explore other ISPs in the area
4. Create a Business Continuity Plan
In case network outages are unavoidable, it’s crucial to have a business continuity plan. This includes backup internet connections or offline workflows to ensure business operations continue smoothly, as well as network solutions that protect from cyberattacks during periods of vulnerability.
Manage Network Congestion with Kital
By taking proactive steps to prevent and diagnose network congestion, businesses can enhance their operations and provide a smoother, hassle-free experience for their customers. So if you’re frustrated with sluggish internet and unreliable connections, Kital is here to help.
Kital empowers businesses with optimized, cost-effective telecoms, ensuring smooth operations and maximized productivity. Contact us today and unlock the full potential of your business connectivity.
