Bufferbloat

What is Bufferbloat?

Every network device holds data briefly in a queue. If the queue is too long, packets wait a long time before they go out, which adds delay. The IETF's RFC 8290, from January 2018, describes the FQ-CoDel algorithm as a powerful tool for fighting bufferbloat and reducing latency. It sets a default target for acceptable standing queue delay of 5 ms and an interval of 100 ms, numbers for that algorithm and not for any High Desert link.

See latency for the delay itself and QoS for a related fix.

Why does it matter on a fixed wireless connection?

The test is easy to describe. Start a long upload or a big download, and then try a video call or ping. If the call stutters only while the transfer runs, the queue is the likely cause. The cure is usually in your own router, because that is where the home's busiest queue sits.

High Desert has not published latency figures for its service, and this entry gives none. Our guide bufferbloat in plain words goes further.

What should I do about it?

Look in your router's settings for smart queue management, SQM, or a feature named for FQ-CoDel or CAKE. If it is there, turn it on and set the speeds slightly below what a wired test shows. If your router has only a simple QoS list, follow prioritize video calls with QoS.

If you cannot change the router, schedule big uploads for when you are not on calls. If the trouble continues on a wired connection too, call 775-575-9593 with the times you saw it.

Run the test again after any change so you can see whether it helped.