What is the time it takes to send a signal from one computer to all other computers?

The time to send a signal from one computer to all others, often referred to as broadcast or multicast latency, is highly variable. Key factors include:

• Network Topology: Signals travel much faster within a local area network (LAN) connected by a switch or router than across wide area networks (WANs) or the internet.
• Network Congestion: High traffic on the network can significantly delay signal propagation.
• Protocol Overhead: The specific network protocols used and their efficiency play a role.
• Processing Power: The sending and receiving devices' processing capabilities, including any encryption/decryption overhead, impact the overall time.
• Distance: For geographically dispersed systems, the physical distance signals must travel is a primary determinant.

In a highly optimized, local network, this can be milliseconds. Across the internet, it can range from tens of milliseconds to several seconds, depending on the factors above.