What does the term "Network Congestion" imply?

The term "Network Congestion" specifically refers to a situation where the demand for network resources exceeds the available capacity, resulting in delays and reduced performance. This occurs when multiple devices or applications attempt to transmit data simultaneously, overwhelming the network infrastructure. As a consequence, packets of data may be delayed, dropped, or require retransmission, leading to slower response times and overall degraded user experience.

Understanding network congestion is crucial for network management and optimization, as it directly impacts the efficiency of data transmission and can affect applications relying on real-time communication, such as video conferencing or online gaming. Recognizing this phenomenon allows administrators to implement strategies to alleviate congestion, such as bandwidth management, traffic shaping, or increasing network capacity to improve performance.