# Scan Time and Channel Latency

Network applications must always be concerned with bandwidth and latency:

The bandwidth available to the RTU will determine how fast the scan loop can be completed. In practice, the scan time will be effected by such things as baud rate, protocol overhead, network loading, and contention for specific nodes. The number of channels being scanned is also a major factor.

The latency for a channel is a measure of how long it has been since the value for that point was updated. It is a function of the channel scan time, the response time of the remote node, and the occurrence of communications glitches. This latency has important ramifications upon the RTU ability to detect transient alarm violation conditions.

To determine the actual time it will take to complete a scan:

- Use Alarmware™ to connect to the RTU.
- When Online with the RTU, select the Diagnostics menu item.
- Select the menu item "Net Diagnostics - Summary Reports."
- Move the cursor to the "Messages for RTU" window.
- Scroll to the area of the report on Net 1, and read the scan time.

Alternatively Use:

- At the Front Panel or over the phone, use code 9 0 2 N 1 .

See Also:

Connecting to an Industrial Network

Channel Operations Testing

Net 1 (Industrial Networks) Settings

Alarmware™

Alarm Trip Delay