3.2.1.1 Connection Time
The connection time may vary between 50 msec to a few seconds. This variance is because the connection process consists of a few independent processes, listed above, that have a duration that may vary according to the configuration or network topology.
On top of the inherent components of the connection process, there are few environmental and system reasons that impact the connection time, and cannot be expected or controlled.
The following three examples describe the shortest, typical, and longest connection process:
- Shortest connection process:
- No security usage, neither personal nor enterprise
- Highest RF modulation (PHY rate) usage
- No DHCP process for acquiring an IP address, but a usage of a pre-defined IP address
- Operation in a clean environment without any interference, such as WLAN, BT, and other
A usage of the above configuration is not recommended for the following reasons:
- The unsecured connection with unencrypted data may result in the system getting hacked, in terms of stealing data or other damage to the network.
- The highest modulation usage during the connection process may lead to a less robust connection, depending on the RF conditions.
- The static IP address usage may lead to an IP address conflict in the system, and block the device from data exchange.
- Longest connection process:
- An Enterprise authentication process with certificates exchange
- Lowest RF modulation (PHY rate) usage
- Acquiring an IP address from a DHCP server located after a few routers within some enterprise network
- Operation in a noisy environment, leading to a packet retransmission or to the whole process repetition, if some packet is lost within the BT operation sharing the same antenna and operating on a time-division basis. The antenna will be taken from the WLAN and packets might be lost.
In the above scenario, if the complete connection process must be repeated, it could take 3 to 5 seconds or more.
- Typical connection process:
- Non-enterprise environment, such as home, car, or other private networks
- Moderate RF modulation
- IP address acquisition from a local DHCP server (such as a router or a hotspot)
In this connection scenario, the typical connection time is 0.5 seconds, which consists of:
- 50-msec WLAN open connection
- 100-msec 4-way handshake for a private and a group key generation
- 300 msec for the IP acquisition using the DHCP process