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2.2 | |
Bandwidth | |
| 2.2.5 | |
Throughput |
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Bandwidth is the measure of the amount of
information that can move through the network in a given period of
time. Therefore, the amount of available bandwidth is a critical part
of the specification of the network. A typical LAN might be built to
provide 100 Mbps to every desktop workstation, but this does not mean
that each user is actually able to move one hundred megabits of data
through the network for every second of use. This would be true only
under the most ideal circumstances. The concept of throughput can help
explain why this is so.
Throughput refers to actual measured
bandwidth, at a specific time of day, using specific Internet routes,
and while a specific set of data is transmitted on the network.
Unfortunately, for many reasons, throughput is often far less than the
maximum possible digital bandwidth of the medium that is being used.
The theoretical bandwidth of a network is an important consideration in network design, because the network bandwidth will never be greater than the limits imposed by the chosen media and networking technologies. However, it is just as important for a network designer and administrator to consider the factors that may affect actual throughput. By measuring throughput on a regular basis, a network administrator will be aware of changes in network performance and changes in the needs of network users. The network can then be adjusted accordingly.
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The
following are some of the factors that determine throughput:
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