Introduction
When using multicast applications on lossy WAN connections the performance can suffer.
To overcome these problems Peplink introduced WAN smoothing, but WAN smoothing has an overhead of at least 50%.
This is not always desirable when there isn’t enough bandwidth available.
Peplink has therefore introduced Forward Error Correction in Firmware 8.0
FEC is a cousin of WAN smoothing but it consumes less data.
It is useful for bandwidth sensitive applications such as mobile streaming.
When to use:
Forward Error Correction
Bandwidth sensitive 1-way communications like live TV and video streaming.
WAN Smoothing
Latency sensitive 2-way communications such as VoIP or Video Conferencing.
FEC definition
Forward error correction (FEC) is a digital signal processing technique used to enhance data reliability. It does this by introducing redundant data, called error correcting code, prior to data transmission or storage. FEC provides the receiver with the ability to correct errors without a reverse channel to request the retransmission of data. It is required that the peer router is using Firmware 8.0.0 and above.
Adaptive FEC definition
Adaptive Forward Error Correction (A-FEC) is designed to enhance the reliability of data communication. It dynamically adjusts the number of redundant packets based on real-time packet loss statistics to recover lost data, thereby ensuring smooth transmission even in high-loss environments. Unlike existing forward error correction, which uses a fixed redundancy rate, A-FEC adapts to changing network conditions, reducing bandwidth waste and improving performance in applications like video conferencing. A-FEC is particularly useful in scenarios with low bandwidth and varying packet loss rates. (Minimum Firmware Requirement: 8.5.0)
Configuring your Peplink router
In the web admin interface go to
Network > Speedfusion on your Balance router or
Advanced > SpeedFusion on your MAX router.
Select a “New Profile” or open an existing PepVPN profile.
Select the option of choice on the Forward Error Correction drop-down list.
Save and Apply the changes
The options are:
| Off | Default |
|---|---|
| Adaptive | Expected Overhead 0-20% |
| Low | Expected Overhead 13.3% |
| High | Expected Overhead 26.7% |
For a more in-depth look at FEC watch this video
