| Network
bandwidth is the data rate that can be supported by
your network connections and pipelines. Network bandwidth
can refer to the theoretical limit or the actual usage.
Most often when people discuss network bandwidth they
are talking about the perceived speed of their local
area network, but network bandwidth alone does not measure
speed. The latency, or delays in processing, associated
with the network also affects the speed of the network.
Lowering
Costs and Cost Reduction
The
cost of bandwidth can be one of the largest expenses
associated with a company's Internet operations if they
have high bandwidth applications or transactions. Companies
aggressively negotiate bandwidth pricing at the start
of hosting or telecom contracts, but surprisingly few
invest in a bandwidth monitor to track usage on an ongoing
basis. A bandwidth monitor can identify bottlenecks
as well as underutilized pipelines. A bandwidth monitor
also can verify that a telecom pipeline provider is
billing correctly and is meeting their service level
agreements.
Capacity
Planning
Another
reason to have a bandwidth monitor is for capacity planning.
You need a bandwidth monitor to measure how bandwidth
usage fluctuates at different times of the day as well
as from month to month if you are to make an informed
decision about capacity growth or contraction. A bandwidth
monitor is something you should ask your hosting company
to provide. |
