What does network congestion signify?

Network congestion signifies a situation where a network node or link is carrying more data than it can handle, leading to delays in data transmission. This occurs when the volume of data being sent exceeds the capacity that the network can efficiently manage at that particular time. As a result, packets may be delayed, lost, or queue up, which affects the overall performance and reliability of the network.

Understanding network congestion is crucial for network management and performance optimization. When congestion happens, it can lead to various issues such as slower response times, increased latency, and potential bottlenecks affecting user experience. Effective strategies, like implementing Quality of Service (QoS) measures or increasing bandwidth, are typically employed to mitigate these issues and maintain network efficiency.