New Cloudbrink Tool Measures Impact of Packet Loss on Remote Work Performance

Think of yourself on a highway where traveling cars are seen as information – in relation to network, that is. Normally, all the cars (a.k.a. data packets) arrive smoothly at their destination. But what if there's a pothole? That's packet loss. And even if 0.0047% of the cars hit the pothole and never reach their destination, this seemingly small number can be disastrous.

Here's why.

Unlike a physical highway, the internet relies on these packets to build the information you see. A missing packet creates a gap, and your device needs to request it again. This back-and-forth slows down the overall flow of information, much like traffic jams caused by the pothole. Cloudbrink research suggests that even a tiny amount of packet loss, like 0.0047%, can reduce effective throughput by 95%.

Now, what about a rush hour scenario? That's what increased latency from VPNs or ZTNA services does. These security tools add an extra step for the data packets, like a toll booth. While 30ms latency on its own might seem insignificant, it acts as a multiplier on the existing problem. The time spent requesting missing packets due to packet loss is further amplified by latency. This worsens the overall performance degradation.

To summarize, even a small amount of missing information slows things down, and Cloudbrink’s new packet loss tool promises to expose a major cause of network and application performance degradation for the hybrid workforce.

Cloudbrink offers a cloud-based service, specifically a Hybrid Access as a Service, designed to improve remote and hybrid work experiences. Their service promises a secure and high-performance connection for users anywhere to eliminate the need for traditional VPNs and aims to provide an in-office experience even when working remotely.

The new Cloudbrink tool helps IT departments understand how well their business applications and user experience hold up when employees face packet loss on top of their current VPN or ZTNA security. It simulates real-world network issues like those found on home Wi-Fi, cellular data and public Wi-Fi at hotels or coffee shops. This is designed to be useful in two ways.

Organizations can use it to compare different VPN/ZTNA options during the selection process. They can also use it to see how their existing applications handle different network conditions, including those with packet loss. This helps ensure smooth operation for remote and on-the-go users.

“The shift to hybrid work models brings new hurdles. Remote users often experience lag and connection inconsistencies that disrupt their workflow and create frustration with technology,” said Prakash Mana, CEO of Cloudbrink. “This new tool empowers IT teams to identify these bottlenecks and implement solutions that optimize application performance and end worker frustration.”