PRTG monitors the latency
of your network
Keep a constant eye on QoS, including latency
Be promptly alerted in the event of latency spikes
Take action immediately
Latency monitoring with PRTG
Jump to the topic of your choice
- Latency, ping times, and much more
- Latency recommendations: ITU-T vs. PAESSLER
- Put an end to choppy connections - once and for all
- Network latency: Test vs. monitoring
- Improve network performance with PRTG
- FAQ: Latency and packet processing time
- 6 tips for smaller companies to optimize latency
- Definitions: Packet delay vs. packet loss
Latency, ping times, and much more: 3 sensors to get you on your way
QoS (Quality of Service) Round Trip sensor
PRTG comes with several QoS sensors. These include the QoS (Quality of Service) Round Trip sensor, which measures the quality of service along an entire route.
More on QoS monitoring with PRTG
Cisco IP SLA sensor
Many Cisco devices gather their own QoS values. The Cisco IP SLA sensor reads these values and adds them to your centralized monitoring statistics.
Ping sensor
The PRTG Ping sensor checks the availability of your devices and the ping latency, while the dashboard lets you see if everything is OK in your network.
How PRTG defines sensors
In PRTG, “sensors” are the basic monitoring elements. One sensor usually monitors one measured value in your network, e.g. the traffic of a switch port, the CPU load of a server, the free space of a disk drive. On average you need about 5-10 sensors per device or one sensor per switch port.
Latency recommendations: ITU-T vs. PAESSLER
ITU-T
The Telecommunication Standardization Sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T) is responsible for standards in the field of telecommunications. It provides many recommendations with regard to quality of service. When it comes to latency, the ITU-T recommends that delays be no more than 125 milliseconds.
Paessler
We have somewhat stricter requirements than the ITU-T, for we recommend a maximum latency of 100 milliseconds. The reason: with a lower latency threshold value, you can be notified in due time and intervene before your coworkers notice that something is awry.
Network latency: Test vs. monitoring
One-time latency test
A simple ping query is all it takes to obtain a one-time calculation of latency. Latency (or the ping time) is equal to the amount of time the query needs to reach its target device. You can also enter a traceroute command into the command line to determine the number of hops. These tests provide for individual measurements. Although they are useful for identifying specific problems, they are not at all suitable for comparisons, analyses, or monitoring.
Perpetual latency monitoring
PRTG keeps a constant eye on all your QoS parameters. Latency, packet loss, jitter, and the Mean Opinion Score are monitored around the clock. If something goes wrong, you’ll be notified at once. The latency monitoring tool PRTG simultaneously monitors your servers, routers, and switches so you can immediately recognize the causes of latency issues or other network problems. What’s more, PRTG lets you create reports and gives you the opportunity to compare data over long periods of time.
Improve network performance with PRTG
Powerful network monitoring
With preconfigured sensors, PRTG makes it quick and easy to set up your network monitoring – including QoS monitoring and the crucial parameters that go with it. During installation, PRTG runs its Auto Discovery feature and automatically creates sensors within your IP range.
Unambiguous licenses
With a license, you get access to sensors, the alarm function, and reports. You’ll need around ten sensors per device. Licenses can be upgraded whenever you like. With the trial version of PRTG, you can try all the software’s features for free. The trial version is perfect for getting a feel for PRTG, no strings attached.
Made in Germany
PRTG is a product of Paessler AG, whose headquarters are located in the city of Nuremberg in the heart of Germany. Paessler AG has been developing monitoring solutions for Windows systems for over 20 years. PRTG is our brainchild, and at the core of our daily work. More than 500,000 system administrators worldwide put their trust in PRTG.
FAQ: Latency and packet processing time
What is network latency?
Latency is a measurement of the time it takes for a data packet to travel from one point to another. This time is referred to as latency, the round-trip time, or the packet processing time.
Why is it important?
By keeping latency spikes to a minimum, you can improve the stability of your network. When latency is too high, problems with VoIP and video conferences are likely to arise. Furthermore, transmission errors can prevent images from loading. Such latency issues are sure to push the capacities of your IT department to the limit.
How do I measure network latency?
Latency can be measured via the command line by running a ping and then recording its time. You can also choose to permanently monitor the latency in your entire network. Read more about testing vs. monitoring latency.
What is WAN latency?
Data packets need a certain amount of time to travel from one device to another. This is also true for packets in distributed networks such as a WAN. If a WAN is overloaded, then delays or disruptions may arise. An overloaded WAN can also have a negative impact on the corresponding LAN. Learn more about how to set up WAN monitoring with PRTG.
Trusted by 500,000 users and recognized
by industry analysts as a leader
“Fantastic network and infrastructure monitoring solution that is easy to deploy and easier still to use. Simply the best available.”
“Software is absolutely perfect, Support is superior. Meets all needs and requirements, this is a must have solution if you are needing any form of monitoring.”
“The tool excels at its primary focus of being a unified infrastructure management and network monitoring service.”
6 tips to optimize and reduce network latency
Monitor your routers and switches
All it takes is one faulty switch or router for latency to rise. Keep a constant eye on your hardware, especially the most important hubs. By doing so, you'll spend much less time getting to the root of a latency spike or some other network problem.
Exploit the advantages of your LAN
Many companies use VoIP or video software such as Skype. At the same time, more and more people are working on laptops. Advise your coworkers to use the LAN (instead of the WLAN) for their video conferences.
Check your internet connection
Which technology does your company use to access the Internet? If possible, switch to LTE, VDSL, or a fiber optic connection. Internet providers are always offering attractive new deals. Take full advantage to optimize the latency and round-trip times of your data.
Upgrade your hardware
Every company has outdated hardware that slows the network down. PRTG will immediately point out these weaknesses. PRTG lets you create easy-to-understand charts and reports that are perfect for convincing higher-ups of the urgency of the situation. Looking to go with Cisco, Juniper, or HP? Every manufacturer has its own advantages. Latency in switches and routers is one important factor which can help you decide. Compare the various product series with one another. By the way: PRTG comes with several preconfigured sensors for all the best-known manufacturers.
Optimize routing
The network latency test tool PRTG counts and monitors the hops that data packets need to travel from one computer to another. You can also perform a traceroute on a specific device with a click of the mouse. Optimize your routing to allow data packets to travel across fewer routers and switches.
Prioritize individual applications
If certain applications are more important to your company than others (or are used on an extremely regular basis), then it might make sense to prioritize them. For example: it often makes no difference if emails take a few more seconds to arrive. You can therefore give the “right of way” to the data of other applications.
Practical tip: “Hey Konstantin, what can I do with the PRTG QoS Reflector?”
“When using our QoS (Quality of Service) Round Trip Sensor, you usually need to place a remote probe on a second Windows computer to measure the round-trip values of data packets. With the PRTG QoS Reflector, this is no longer necessary. The Reflector is a Python script that sends data packets from an endpoint back to PRTG. The QoS Reflector runs on all Linux systems, even a small Raspberry Pi. With PRTG, keeping a constant eye on network latency has never been easier.”
Konstantin Wolff, Software Developer at Paessler AG
Definitions: Packet delay vs. packet loss
Packet delay
If latency spikes, then data packets are likely to be delayed. They are transmitted more slowly and therefore need longer to reach their destination. PRTG measures the processing time of data packets automatically.
Packet loss
Packet loss can quickly lead to complaints and IT service requests. This is usually due to the dramatic drop in the quality of VoIP or video calls. With packet loss, packets get lost on the way to their destination.
PRTG is worth it: You’ll optimize your entire IT!
The costs for a one-year PRTG license usually pay for themselves within a few weeks.
PRTG improves the reliability of your network
PRTG saves network management costs
PRTG saves time spent on network management
“We can all work with greater peace of mind knowing
that our systems are constantly being monitored.”
Markus Puke, Network Administrator, Schüchtermann Klinik, Germany
Create innovative solutions with Paessler’s IT partners
Partnering with innovative IT vendors, Paessler unleashes synergies to create
new and additional benefits for joined customers.
ScriptRunner
With ScriptRunner, Paessler integrates a powerful event automation platform into PRTG Network Monitor.
We asked: would you recommend PRTG?
Over 95% of our customers say yes!
Paessler AG conducted trials in over 600 IT departments worldwide to tune its network monitoring software closer to the needs of sysadmins.
The result of the survey: over 95% of the participants would recommend PRTG – or already have.
Want to read more? Be our guest! Learn more about network monitoring here
Router monitoring: PRTG monitors the bandwidth usage, network activities, and error messages of your routers. It therefore helps you prevent downtime and overloads. Effective router monitoring is the basis for comprehensive network monitoring.
Switch monitoring: There are many different switch manufacturers. With PRTG, you get a tool that works with all the most popular providers. Several preconfigured sensors allow you to quickly set up your switch monitoring. And thanks to SNMP, packet sniffing, and various other sensors, PRTG also lets you keep a close eye on your data traffic.
Remote monitoring: Many companies have international offices in addition to a central IT base. PRTG provides for agentless remote monitoring. All information is consolidated on an easy-to-read dashboard, allowing you to monitor your distributed network around the clock.
PRTG: The Swiss Army knife for sysadmins
Adapt PRTG individually and dynamically to your needs and rely on a strong API:- HTTP API: Access monitoring data and manipulate monitoring objects via HTTP requests
- Custom sensors: Create your own PRTG sensors for customized monitoring
- Custom notifications: Create your own notifications and send action triggers to external systems
- REST Custom sensor: Monitor almost everything that provides data in XML or JSON format
Still not convinced?
More than 500,000 sysadmins love PRTG
Paessler PRTG is used by companies of all sizes. Sysadmins love PRTG because it makes their job a whole lot easier.
Still not convinced?
Monitor your entire IT infrastructure
Bandwidth, servers, virtual environments, websites, VoIP services – PRTG keeps an eye on your entire network.
Try Paessler PRTG for free
Everyone has different monitoring needs. That’s why we let you try PRTG for free. Start now with your trial.
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PRTG |
Network Monitoring Software - Version 23.1.82.2175 (March 1st, 2023) |
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Hosting |
Download for Windows and cloud-based version PRTG Hosted Monitor available |
Languages |
English, German, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese |
Pricing |
Up to 100 sensors for free (Price List) |
Unified Monitoring |
Network devices, bandwidth, servers, applications, virtual environments, remote systems, IoT, and more |
Supported Vendors & Applications |
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Combining the broad monitoring feature set of PRTG with IP Fabric’s automated network assurance creates a new level of network visibility and reliability.