Latency and Round Trip Time (RTT) 

In school networks, ensuring low latency and optimising Round Trip Time (RTT) is crucial for delivering a seamless online learning experience. Latency refers to the delay in data transmission between devices, while RTT measures the time taken for a data packet to travel from the source to the destination and back. High latency and prolonged RTT can result in sluggish network performance, delays in communication and hindered educational activities. This knowledgebase article aims to provide IT admins with troubleshooting steps to identify and address latency issues effectively, ultimately improving RTT in school networks. 

Measure and Benchmark Latency 

• Use network monitoring tools or specialised latency measurement tools to accurately measure latency and establish a baseline for comparison. 

• Benchmark the latency values against industry standards or established best practices to identify if the network's latency is within acceptable limits. 

Network Traffic Analysis 

• Conduct a thorough analysis of network traffic patterns to identify potential causes of latency. Monitor network utilisation, identify bandwidth-intensive applications or devices, and assess their impact on latency. 

• Implement Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms to prioritise critical network traffic and minimise latency for time-sensitive applications such as video conferencing or real-time collaboration tools. 

Bandwidth Management and Allocation 

• Insufficient bandwidth can lead to increased latency. Evaluate the available bandwidth in your network and ensure it meets the demands of users and applications. 

• Implement bandwidth management techniques such as traffic shaping, bandwidth reservation, or dynamic bandwidth allocation to optimise bandwidth utilisation and minimise latency. 

Network Infrastructure Optimisation 

Optimise your network infrastructure to reduce latency. Consider the following: 

• Ensure switches, routers, and other network devices are properly configured and capable of handling the network load. 

• Implement a hierarchical network design that minimises the number of network hops and reduces latency. 

Quality of Service (QoS) Configuration

• Configure QoS settings on network devices to prioritise Vivi traffic and reduce latency for real-time applications. 

• Assign appropriate priority levels and bandwidth limits to different types of traffic, ensuring that Vivi receives sufficient resources. 

VLANs and Inter-VLAN Routing

VLANs are used to segregate network traffic into separate virtual networks, which can improve network performance and reduce latency. 

• Properly configure VLANs and inter-VLAN routing to ensure efficient communication between different network segments. 

• Ensure that VLANs are appropriately designed and implemented based on the school's network requirements and traffic patterns. 

• Monitor VLAN traffic and analyse any potential bottlenecks or misconfigurations that may contribute to latency. 

Redundant Routes and Spanning Tree Protocols

• Configure redundant routes and utilise spanning tree protocols to provide network redundancy without introducing latency issues. 

• Regularly monitor the status of redundant links and spanning tree configurations to identify and resolve any issues affecting latency. 

Network Latency Testing

Perform regular network latency testing using specialised tools to identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement. 

• Simulate real-world scenarios and measure latency between different network devices or endpoints. 

• Take necessary actions to address excessive latency in specific devices or network segments. 

 Wi-Fi Optimisation: 

 Optimise Wi-Fi performance to reduce latency in wireless environments. 

• Ensure proper access point placement, configuration, and coverage to minimise interference and improve signal quality. 

• Implement Wi-Fi technologies such as beamforming or band steering to enhance signal strength and reduce latency.