In this article we would like to draw our customers’ attention to some important aspects when purchasing external Ethernet adapters such as USB docking stations. Before making a purchase decision, the impact of the external adapter should be compared to a computer with an integrated Ethernet network adapter. In the context of conzept 16 server-client applications, losses in the response times of the network connection can have a negative impact.
- USB Hubs
- latency
- latency measurement
- What causes latency in USB hubs?
- Strategies for minimizing latency
- Choosing the right USB hub to reduce latency
- Conclusion
USB Hubs
An external device can be connected via a USB input (or port). USB hubs work like multiple plugs in a power socket, allowing several peripheral devices to be connected to one port at the same time. USB hubs differ primarily in the number of ports available, but also in the type of power supply and the speed of transmission.
What is the difference between a docking station and a USB hub?
A USB hub usually only has additional USB ports, while a docking station has many more connection options such as HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA or Ethernet. The connected device can also be charged via Power Delivery via USB-C, provided the docking station itself is supplied with power.
What is latency?
Latency refers to the delay that occurs when data is transmitted from one point to another. In networks, this is the time it takes for a data packet to travel from source to destination. Latency therefore determines the delay that users experience when sending or receiving data.
A network with low throughput and high latency will struggle to send and process a high volume of data, resulting in congestion and poor application performance. In contrast, a high-throughput, low-latency network is responsive and efficient. Users experience better performance and are more satisfied.
Network infrastructure
Network devices can become overloaded, causing packets to be discarded. If packets are delayed or discarded, the devices retransmit them. This increases latency. The performance of the hardware used within a network therefore plays a major role. If, for example, a docking station operates several devices simultaneously (e.g. monitors, external hard disks), this can reduce the available bandwidth for network traffic, resulting in higher latency.
How to measure latency in a network
Communication test: conzept 16 already offers the option of measuring response times or delays (latency), for example. A description of the possibilities can be found in the online documentation, under the index entry Communication test.
Ping command: The ping command is one of the simplest and most common tools for measuring network latency. It sends ICMP echo requests to a destination IP address and measures the time it takes to receive a response (echo reply). The measured time is displayed in milliseconds (ms).
Traceroute: Traceroute is a tool that shows the route that data packets take to reach their destination. It lists each intermediate node (router) and measures the latency to each of these nodes. This allows you to identify not only the overall latency, but also bottlenecks along the way.
PsPing: PsPing is a useful tool from Sysinternals to measure the latency in a network. To install PsPing, you must first download it from the official Sysinternals website https://learn.microsoft.com/de-de/sysinternals/downloads/psping and place it in an executable path on the system. You can run PsPing from the Windows command prompt and measure the latency:
Server-Modus: psping -4 -s <IP-Adresse>:<Port>
Client-Modus: psping -4 -h 10 -n 100 -l 1400 <IP-Adresse>:<Port>
What causes latency in USB hubs?
A USB hub works by taking data from one port and distributing it to several others. This process involves data analysis, routing and sometimes power distribution, all of which can cause delays. Below are the various factors that contribute to latency in USB hubs:
Quality of the USB hub: High-quality USB hubs manage data more efficiently, resulting in lower latency. In contrast, cheaper, lower quality hubs may not process data as effectively, resulting in delays.
Number of connected devices: More devices connected to a hub can lead to increased data traffic. This overload can slow down the communication process and increase latency.
Type of USB protocol: Different USB standards such as USB 2.0, 3.0 or 4.0 have different speeds and capabilities. A hub that uses an older USB standard may be slower and cause more latency.
USB cable length: Longer USB cables can cause more latency. Signals take longer to travel back and forth over longer distances.
Interference: Electronic interference from other devices can interfere with the signal in the USB hub and potentially increase latency.
Strategies for minimizing latency when using USB hubs
Below are some helpful tips to reduce latency when using a USB hub:
Choose hubs with independent power sources. These hubs can manage data more efficiently, reducing the likelihood of latency.
Opt for USB 3.0 hubs or higher. They have better data processing capabilities than older versions.
Keep your hub and drivers up to date. Manufacturers often release updates that improve performance and reduce latency.
Avoid connecting too many devices at the same time. Overloading your hub can slow down data transfer and increase latency.
Use high-quality cables. Poor quality cables can degrade signal quality and increase latency.
Choosing the right USB hub to reduce latency
When choosing a USB hub that minimizes latency, pay attention to its specifications and features. Hubs with high data transfer rates, such as USB 3.1, USB 3.2 or USB-C, can differ significantly from one another in terms of performance. Although these hubs are designed for more efficient data processing and thus reduce possible delays, they should be tested in advance for your own application scenario.
Conclusion
To summarize, while USB hubs are invaluable for expanding connectivity, they can also cause latency that impacts device performance. Understanding the causes and measuring the extent of this latency are important steps in managing its impact. By choosing the right USB hub and using strategies to minimize latency, you can ensure a more efficient and responsive technical setup
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