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March 2020
Asymmetric routing is the term given when a packet takes one path to the destination and takes a different path when returning to the source. It is employed when a solution requires different sending and receiving paths. With asymmetric routing, the traffic will move from the source router and reach the destination router regardless of the path the packet has taken. It’s also used to refer to data connections that feature different upload and download speeds.
Asymmetric routing can help Internet service providers (ISPs) build redundancies into their network by having different routes, which provide the same destination available for traffic to be routed through. It can also help in load balancing the traffic by having different inbound and outbound paths through which the traffic can move.
By adopting asymmetric routing, many services that are provided by ISPs become more efficient, because it can reduce the scale of network infrastructure upgrades, while enhancing the effectiveness of packet processing and lowering the infrastructure requirements. Internet service providers can rest safe in the knowledge that this kind of network is extremely flexible, and particularly useful when large amounts of data are required to be downloaded, yet only minimal traffic uploaded.
As a result this is one of the most common business-class internet product offerings, and will often be described as a ‘100/7.5’ connection, which simply means it offers 100 Gigabit per second (Gbps) of download speed, and 7.5Gbps up.
The difference between symmetric and asymmetric networking
Asymmetric and symmetric differ in that the latter offers the same speed for both uploading and downloading data. Symmetrical connections are best used for video streaming and telecommunications application software products that specializes in providing video chat and voice calls between computers, tablets and other mobile devices.
The flexibility of asymmetrical networking for telecommunications
Asymmetric connections work fantastically for telecommunications businesses, because they enable such providers to be flexible with bandwidth usage and the manner in which it’s distributed to end users. This opposite is usually true for symmetrical connections, which is why they don’t necessarily represent the most efficient choice. And the reason is simple: most day-to-day internet tasks simply don’t require colossal amounts of upload bandwidth. For instance, if the majority of internet usage undertaken by your subscribers is focused on casual web browsing, research and small file transfers, there’s a far greater requirement for download speed than there is upload. In such scenarios, symmetrical connections are simply wasted.
The advantages of asymmetrical networking
If you’re looking for a fast yet cost-effective networking solution, asymmetrical is generally the way to go. Due to their relative simplicity, asymmetric networks offer straightforward implementation and maintenance. Their fast download speeds and competent upload capabilities are more than enough for most end users.
Your network deserves a flexible, reliable form of data transfer, and with asymmetrical networking, it will gain a connection that’s steady, fast and dynamic enough to ensure bandwidth is spread evenly across the your subscriber base. Asymmetrical data flow make far more efficient use of the availability infrastructure, which is why it’s so beneficial for most end user internet activity. This is vitally important, because, like anything in business, unused assets and infrastructure are nothing more than a drain on the budget.
Operating expenses (OPEX) are of key concern for every business, and if your network relies on a symmetrical connection that transmits only a fraction of the data it’s capable of moving, you’re needlessly over spending on infrastructure.
And finally: a word on asymmetric networking and security
There are concerns about the way in which an asymmetric network can negatively affect data security, but they’re not wholly accurate. Networks of this kind typically allow data packets to leave via one route and return via another. This makes them efficient and offers a high level of redundancy, but it doesn’t mean data security has to be compromised.
Asymmetric data communication delivers the flexibility that your network, workforce and future growth prospects deserve – don’t leave this vital element of infrastructure to chance.