We live in an era where the speed of information is key. In the digital world, 100G servers —capable of transmitting data at 100 gigabits per second— represent a true revolution. These machines are designed to move massive amounts of information at an astonishing speed, fundamental in applications like artificial intelligence, streaming, and online gaming.
But there’s a problem: server speed isn’t enough if the network connecting it to the world is slow.
What is latency and why does it matter?
When you click on a video or open a webpage, data has to travel through physical networks (cables, routers, data centers…). Latency is the time it takes for that information to go back and forth between your device and the server.
Although data travels at the speed of light, geographical distance, network congestion, and equipment quality can introduce delays. If you’re far from the server or your network has many obstacles, it doesn’t matter how ultra-fast the server is: the video may take time to load, the game may freeze, and the video call may drop.
What role do protocols play?
For everything to work, the internet uses “protocols,” rules that determine how data moves. The three most common ones are:
- TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): Reliable and secure, but slower. It ensures that data arrives in order, requesting confirmation at each step.
- UDP (User Datagram Protocol): Much faster, but less reliable. Ideal for live video or games, where immediacy is more important than absolute accuracy.
- QUIC: A more modern protocol that combines the speed of UDP with smart control mechanisms to avoid unnecessary delays. It’s gaining traction in applications like streaming, gaming, or advanced web browsing.
Why do 100G servers need low latency?
A 100G server can move data at a staggering speed. But if the latency is high, it loses effectiveness. It’s like having a Ferrari on a road full of red traffic lights. You can accelerate, but you won’t get there any faster.
When applications require real-time (for example, in stock trading, virtual reality, or cloud gaming), latency becomes even more important than transfer speed. A delay of 200 milliseconds can be the difference between winning and losing.
The role of edge computing
One strategy to reduce latency is to bring servers closer to the user. This is known as edge computing. Instead of relying on large data centers located in other countries or continents, digital services are distributed across small local centers.
For instance, a user in Madrid can connect to a server located in the same city instead of one in Frankfurt or London. This drastically reduces latency and improves the user experience.
Challenges in emerging regions
In places like Latin America, Africa, or parts of Asia, a lack of infrastructure, complicated geography, or local regulations can make latency a bigger issue. Mobile connections dominate, there’s less fiber optic deployed, and often data centers are too far from users.
However, many operators and companies are investing in regional infrastructure, local partnerships, and more flexible technologies to bring high-performance computing and advanced connectivity to these markets.
Conclusion: it’s not just about speed, but also proximity and intelligence
The revolution of 100G servers is real and transformative, but their success depends on more than just raw power. Reducing latency is the major challenge to unlock their full potential. This involves deploying smarter networks, better distributing infrastructure, and adapting to geography, regulations, and the real needs of users.
Because in the digital world, speed matters, but latency is everything.