How does network performance typically behave during periods of congestion?

Network performance typically degrades during periods of congestion due to several factors. When the network is congested, it means that there are more data packets being sent than the network can handle at once. This can lead to increased latency, where the time it takes for a packet to travel from sender to receiver rises. Additionally, packet loss can occur, which means that some packets might not make it to their destination, requiring retransmission and further slowing down the overall performance.

As more devices and users compete for bandwidth, the available resources become stretched thin, causing slower transfer rates and potential bottlenecks in the network. Consequently, instead of operating efficiently, the network struggles to maintain the quality of service, resulting in degraded performance perceived by users. This degradation can manifest as slow loading times, interruptions in service, and overall reduced throughput, especially during peak usage times.