Processing delay

In a network based on packet switching, processing delay is the time it takes routers to process the packet header. Processing delay is a key component in network delay.

During processing of a packet, routers may check for bit-level errors in the packet that occurred during transmission as well as determining where the packet's next destination is. Processing delays in high-speed routers are typically on the order of microseconds or less. After this nodal processing, the router directs the packet to the queue where further delay can happen (queuing delay).