What is “packet loss (%)?
Packet Loss measures the reliability of a connection. A known chunk of data is sent to the router and then the router is supposed to send the same data back unaltered (echo). In the case of something like ping, several packets are sent out over the course of a couple seconds. So, if 10 packets were sent out, but only 8 made it back, then that would be 20% packet loss; so the more packets that are sent, the more accurate the picture of what the actual packet loss is. In a perfect world 0% packet loss is what we all want – every packet we send out makes it to where it’s supposed to go. In reality, some packet loss is probably going to happen, but as long as it is under 5% or so you shouldn’t even notice. So just remember that the higher the packet loss percentage, the slower the connection will work because in most instances it has to send the same piece of information several times.
