What is Bandwidth? Understanding and Urgency

Have you ever heard the term bandwidth? When talking about servers, especially servers on the internet, this term must be familiar to the ears. In addition to internet servers, this one term can also be found on computer servers. So, what is meant by bandwidth? Is there a way to measure it? What is the unit used to measure bandwidth? How do we check it? And most importantly, what does it do? Let’s find out more about bandwidth together!

Getting to Know Bandwidth
What is the Function of Bandwidth
How to Measure Bandwidth
What is the difference between bandwidth and speed and throughput?
How to Monitor Usage and Improvement Efforts?
Conclusion

Getting to Know Bandwidth

Bandwidth refers to the maximum capacity that can be transferred from one point to another by a server or network at any given time. In other words, this capacity is an indication of the maximum capacity of the data transmission process. The measurement of amount of data transferred is usually measured in bits per second (bps).

The level of bandwidth is directly proportional to the speed of sending and receiving. The more or higher the capacity, the faster the process of sending and receiving information. In addition, a lot of high capacity can also allow more devices to be connected later.

This capacity is classified as an important factor in determining the quality and speed of the internet network. In addition, this capacity is also an essential concept that is applied in several fields of technology. Is used to illustrate the difference in the upper and lower frequencies in the transmission.

The capacity of these components is usually determined by the type of connection. Telephone lines are channels that are relied on by Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL) and offer lower capacity speeds, which are around 1.5 Mbps to 15 Mbps. While cable internet has a speed of about 50 Mbps.

What is the Function of Bandwidth

Bandwidth is not included in the category of unlimited sources. Application locations such as Sometimes, this is due to limitations on physical network devices such as routers or modems as well as cables or wireless frequencies used. On the other hand, this capacity is also limited by internet network administrators and wide area networks or WANs.

Multiple devices using the same connection must share capacity. Although the speed that bandwidth has is non-exchangeable, more capacity will be essential to maintain tolerable speeds across multiple devices.

How to Measure Bandwidth

For this one capacity measurement is usually done using software or firmware. Bandwidth measurement utilities include a TCP or TTCP test utility as well as PRTG Network Monitor.

TCP performs measurements on throughput on an IP network between two hosts. One host is the receiver while the other is the sender. Each side displays the number of bytes that will later be transmitted. PRTG provides graphical interfaces and charts to measure trends over a longer period and can also be used to measure traffic between different interfaces.

The total or the amount of bandwidth you need depends on your plan regarding the internet connection itself. In general, if you plan to do nothing but visit social media and watch videos, a low-end high-speed plan probably won’t cause any serious problems.

There is another method of measuring bandwidth, namely by transferring files of known size and calculating the time required to transfer the files. In addition to how to measure, there is also a way to determine bandwidth like the one below.

1. Theoretical Maximum

Is a transmission rate that occupies the highest position in ideal conditions. Transfer rates at this level cannot be achieved in a real installation. Because, in general, this level is only used to make comparisons as a way to determine the condition level of the connection with its theoretical maximum potential.

2. Effective Bandwidth

The transmission rate at a reliable state occupies the highest place. However, this level remains lower than the theoretical maximum. Not infrequently this level one is considered the best level that can be used. This level is needed to understand the amount of traffic a connection can support.

3. Throughput

If previously we have discussed the two highest levels, now is the time to discuss the average level, where throughput is one of those that falls into this category. Throughput is useful for deepening understanding of typical and regular connection speeds. It is a transfer size divided by the time it takes to complete the transfer. Like bandwidth in general, throughput is also measured in bytes per second.

4. Goodput

Measuring the amount of useful data refers to the term goodput. Where unwanted data will not be included in it. Goodput is calculated by dividing the size of the file transferred by the time it takes.

What is the difference between bandwidth and speed and throughput?

Reporting from the Paessler page, there are several ways to think about the process of flowing data in a network. Network speed refers to the bit rate of the circuit which is determined by the speed of the physical signal of the medium. Bandwidth is the capacity of the physical circuit that can be used to transmit data and will be determined by how much network capacity is available based on the connection.

Throughput, as explained earlier, is the success rate of the transmission process, while bandwidth is a calculation of the amount of data passing through the network interface. Therefore, throughput is lower than bandwidth.

How to Monitor Usage and Improvement Efforts?

Projecting the use of this one capacity is an important thing to do in network preparation. However, continuous monitoring of LANs and WANs is an essential key to maintaining smooth functioning. Therefore, you should know how to effectively check bandwidth usage.

The temptation to add more capacity can come at any time, especially when your network is slow. However, this solution is less affordable. Monitoring is a solution to overcome and resolve slow network problems.

It is possible to monitor this capacity using individual devices. Use of basic monitoring tools to track various applications and functions that affect the use of this one capacity.

The only way to increase bandwidth is to do so through an internet provider. Some situations indicate that providers may offer different levels of service.

Conclusion

Interesting discussions about the bandwidth that is present adorn this article. If viewed briefly, the capacity of this one is not too difficult to understand. Starting from the importance or urgency to how to improve it.

If you want to try increasing the capacity because you find that the network feels slow, it’s a good idea to check a few things first before making a decision that seems rushed.

Be sure to keep learning the basics about this one’s capacity to get at least a little idea. Also, pay attention to some crucial points about what should need to be considered so as not to be misguided.