Network delay

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Network delay in an IP Network is generally the round trip delay for an IP packet within an IP network. This may be measured using tools such as "ping" or protocols such as RTCP. IP network delay comprises the sum of transmission delays and queuing delays experienced by a packet traveling through the collection of routers, switches and other hardware that comprise the network. There is a certain minimum level of delay that will be experienced due to the time it takes to transmit a packet serially through a link. Onto this is added a more variable level of delay due to network congestion. IP network delays can range from just a few milliseconds to several hundred milliseconds.