Bandwidth (computing)
In computer network and computer science, digital bandwidth or just bandwidth is the capacity for a given system to transfer data over a connection. It is measured as a bit rate expressed in bits per second (bits/s) or multiples of it (kbit/s Mbit/s etc.).
Digital bandwidth should not be confused with:
- Network throughput: which is the average rate of successful data transfer through a connection.
- Data transfer: which is the quantity of data transferred over a given period of time.
Bandwidth in web hosting
In web hosting, the term "bandwidth" is often used to describe the amount of data transferred to or from the website within a defined period of time. Another more specific phrase used for this meaning of bandwidth is monthly data transfer.
Web hosting companies often quote a monthly data transfer for a website, for example 500 gigabytes per month. If the total amount of data downloaded from the website in a particular month reaches this limit, the hosting company may shut off further public access to the site.
Internet connections bandwidths
| Bandwidth | Connection type |
| 56 kbit/s | Modem / Dialup |
| 1.544 Mbit/s | T1 |
| 10 Mbit/s | Ethernet |
| 11 Mbit/s | Wireless 802.11b |
| 43.232 Mbit/s | T3 |
| 54 Mbit/s | Wireless-G 802.11g |
| 100 Mbit/s | Fast Ethernet |
| 155 Mbit/s | OC3 |
| 300 Mbit/s | Wireless-N 802.11n |
| 622 Mbit/s | OC12 |
| 1000 Mbit/s | Gigabit Ethernet |
| 2.5 Gbit/s | OC48 |
| 9.6 Gbit/s | OC192 |
| 10 Gbit/s | 10 Gigabit Ethernet |