Packet loss is one of the most challenging issues affecting network performance, especially in the last mile, where connectivity can vary due to several factors such as network congestion, infrastructure limitations, or environmental conditions. Nepean Network’s SD-WAN solution excels at addressing this issue by using innovative techniques that go beyond the standard methods deployed by other vendors.
Nepean Network’s SD-WAN combines a series of technologies and features to mitigate packet loss in a way that ensures seamless connectivity for businesses. Here's how it works:
1. UDP Tunnel in a Hub and Spoke Architecture
At the core of Nepean Network’s SD-WAN is a UDP-based tunnel that operates in a hub and spoke architecture. This architecture provides the ability to route traffic efficiently between a central hub and various spoke locations, which reduces latency and enhances performance across the network. The use of UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is essential because it avoids the congestion control mechanisms that would throttle bandwidth in TCP-based solutions.
Unlike TCP, which retransmits packets after loss detection and slows down the connection, UDP allows Nepean Network’s SD-WAN to focus on mitigating the effects of packet loss without the overhead of constant retransmissions, making it particularly well-suited for environments with fluctuating last-mile conditions.
2. Bandwidth Adaptation
Nepean Network’s SD-WAN incorporates bandwidth adaptation, a feature that dynamically adjusts the bandwidth used based on real-time conditions. If packet loss is detected, particularly due to congestion, Nepean Network’s SD-WAN automatically clamps down the download speed, ensuring that the network can cope with the available bandwidth. This adjustment ensures that bandwidth is distributed efficiently, reducing congestion and improving the quality of the connection.
What sets Nepean Networks apart is its bi-directional QoS (Quality of Service), which operates in both upload and download directions. When bandwidth is limited due to last-mile issues, Nepean Network’s SD-WAN reapplies appropriate QoS settings to maintain the best possible performance for both directions of traffic. This is a significant advantage, as many vendors only manage QoS in one direction or fail to adjust QoS appropriately during periods of high congestion.
3. Independent Uplink or Downlink Path Bypass
One of Nepean Network’s most powerful features is its ability to bypass either the uplink or downlink path of a last-mile connection independently. While most SD-WAN vendors will failover an entire connection if packet loss or issues are detected on just one path, Nepean Network’s SD-WAN is much more selective.
If only the uplink or downlink is showing problems, the system can bypass just that direction, leaving the other half of the connection intact. This fine-grained control ensures that the business experiences minimal disruptions and only reroutes traffic where necessary, rather than failing over the entire connection, which can be costly and inefficient.
4. BBR TCP Congestion Control Algorithm
In environments with packet loss, TCP connections suffer from reduced throughput due to its built-in congestion control algorithms. Nepean Network’s SD-WAN addresses this by providing the option to adjust the TCP congestion control algorithm to BBR (Bottleneck Bandwidth and Round-trip propagation time).
BBR is an advanced algorithm developed by Google that measures both the bandwidth and latency to maximise throughput, even in environments with packet loss. Unlike traditional congestion control algorithms like Reno or Cubic, which reduce the sending rate after packet loss is detected, BBR works by continuously adjusting the flow of traffic based on the real-time capacity of the network, without overly slowing down.
By integrating BBR, Nepean Network’s SD-WAN can provide more stable and higher-performance connections in conditions where packet loss is common, allowing businesses to maintain better throughput even on challenging last-mile links.
5. Advanced Traffic Analytics
Another key differentiator of Nepean Network’s SD-WAN is its ability to leverage advanced traffic analytics to detect and address the root causes of packet loss. Packet loss is often caused by network congestion or excessive bandwidth usage. With Nepean Network’s analytics, network administrators gain deep insights into where the problems are occurring, whether it’s due to specific applications, user behaviour, or device malfunctions.
This visibility allows administrators to prioritise traffic, apply bandwidth caps to problematic sources, and reconfigure network paths to mitigate the issue at its source. Rather than simply reacting to packet loss, Nepean Network’s SD-WAN allows for proactive management of traffic to prevent packet loss from happening in the first place.
Wrap | A Holistic Solution for Packet Loss
Nepean Network’s SD-WAN offers a comprehensive approach to dealing with last-mile packet loss. From its use of a UDP tunnel in a hub-and-spoke architecture, to adaptive bandwidth and QoS, independent path bypass, BBR congestion control, and advanced traffic analytics, Nepean Network’s SD-WAN ensures that businesses experience zero downtime and stable connections, even in difficult network environments. For businesses in South Africa where last-mile connectivity can be unpredictable, this solution is a crucial tool to ensure high-quality performance and reliable communication.
Ronald Bartels ensures that Internet inhabiting things are connected reliably online at Nepean Networks - the leading specialized SD-WAN Last Mile provider in South Africa. Learn more about the best SD-WAN in the world: 👉Contact Nepean✈️
