Nobody likes a bad packet.
Depending on the network architecture, however, IT and OT network managers look at packet loss differently.
Why do these managers have unique reasons for wanting to banish bad packets? Panduit’s “What is the Impact of Packet Loss?” white paper answers this question, by discussing issues both IT and OT managers encounter as they transform their networks to support business success in the IIoT era.
Reduced throughput
IT network managers dislike packet loss because it steals valuable bandwidth, reducing the link’s available throughput. Typical latency of the enterprise network is responsive enough for their applications.
There is an insatiable appetite for more throughput in enterprise networks, however, not to mention the demand from the myriad connected devices in our homes and in our offices.
A corrupted packet reduces throughput when the switch discards the packet, and again when it is re-sent – essentially causing the packet to be sent twice and reducing a network’s available throughput.
Increased latency
OT network managers look at corrupted packets through a different lens. On the factory floor, a network’s latency is more important than bandwidth or throughput.
For example, when a sensor on the factory floor sends a packet to request an action, it needs the response in milliseconds. The corrupted packet cannot deliver the request, and the retransmission delays the decision on the appropriate action to take. This event can be costly.
IT/OT Convergence
According to Craig Resnick, vice president of ARC Advisory Group, “to properly address the issue of minimizing the corruption of packets requires the convergence of IT and OT, both from a networking infrastructure perspective and a human resources perspective. Converged network architectures bring together IT and OT systems that have long remained separate. As a result, IT and OT professionals who previously only oversaw their own individual systems now must also understand the counterpart technologies to, for example, help eliminate corrupted packets.”
To learn more about the impact of packet loss and how to minimize corrupt packets, no matter your network perspective, download Panduit’s “What is the Impact of Packet Loss?” white paper – or subscribe to our blog to receive our complete 4-part series of IoT 101 white papers.
