[tuetuopay]

The two scenarios I can think of that definitely make use of cut-through are timekeeping systems, and HFT. The latter goes even further, where the switches at the exchange do cut-through, but also ensure the packet is broadcast to multiple ports at the exact same time. This is done so that no specific HFT firm get an advantage from being on port 10 rather than port 20. They even measure out the outgoing fibers to be the same length.

[empty_set35204]

The amount of effort an exchange goes through to ensure fairness varies substantially, unfortunately. Many do have measurable and consistent /semi-consistent differences between gateways that can be attributed to network asymmetries.