Singlehop

Single-hop networking refers to a communication path in which a packet is forwarded through only a single intermediary between the source and destination. In most networks, a path consists of multiple hops; a single-hop path contains just one forwarding step, such as a direct link to an adjacent device or gateway. Diagnostic tools like traceroute or ping report hops as the packet is forwarded.

In practice, single-hop connections tend to have lower latency and simpler routing, but they limit reach and scalability since the direct link may not extend to all destinations. In wireless networks, a client may connect directly to a nearby access point, creating a single-hop link; alternatively, networks may use multiple hops through intermediate devices.

In cloud, edge, and content delivery contexts, single-hop deployments aim to minimize routing steps between end users and services, which can improve performance and reduce jitter. By contrast, multi-hop architectures trade some latency and simplicity for broader reach, redundancy, and the ability to traverse more complex network topologies.

Examples of single-hop scenarios include a user device connecting to a local router or gateway, or an edge server delivering content directly to nearby users without routing through several intermediate networks. The term is often used in discussions of network design, latency optimization, and traceroute analyses to distinguish direct, minimal-hop paths from more extended, routed paths.

Note: SingleHop is also a brand name used by a web hosting company; this article uses the term in its networking sense unless specified otherwise.