Network throughput refers to the volume of digital data transferred between two points within a specified time period. Typically, it’s quantified in bits per second (bps), as in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps).
Throughput is the actual rate at which data is successfully delivered over a network connection, and it provides a realistic measure of network performance. It is influenced by network speed, bandwidth, and latency. High throughput is desirable as a network can carry hefty amounts of data quickly and efficiently.
Throughput vs. Bandwidth
While often used interchangeably, throughput and bandwidth measure different aspects of network performance.
- Throughput: This is the actual rate of data transfer, accounting for real-world factors like latency and packet loss. It provides a realistic measure of network performance, making it essential for diagnosing issues and ensuring applications run smoothly for enterprises.
- Bandwidth: This is the maximum possible data that can be transferred over a particular network or internet connection within a specified period. This conceptual figure indicates the connection’s potential, commonly gauged in bps, kbps, Mbps, or Gbps.
What are the factors affecting network throughput?
Network congestion
With more users and applications “fighting” over resources while sending or requesting data, too many data packets may be transmitted simultaneously for the network to efficiently deliver. Also called “saturation,” congestion also occurs when too many devices share the same network.
Hardware
The quality of routers, switches, network interface cards, and cabling can all influence throughput. Older equipment can slow down network performance. An enterprise operating with outdated networking equipment might face significant slowdowns, especially during heavy usage periods. Upgrading to modern, high-capacity hardware can bring about marked improvements.
Bandwidth
Even if a network has a high bandwidth, throughput might be lower due to congestion, latency, and packet loss. A multinational company’s global video conference might face interruptions even if it invests in high bandwidth. Leveraging content delivery networks and optimizing server infrastructure can distribute the load more evenly.
Transmission medium
While ethernet is the gold standard for connectivity speed and overall performance, wireless data transmission is more susceptible to congestion, interference, and failure. And even then, some networking cables may offer higher throughput than others.
Packet Loss
When data packets fail to reach their intended destination, they must be resent, causing delays and lowering throughput. A financial firm might experience issues with real-time stock trading platforms due to packet loss. Switching to a more reliable ISP or optimizing internal network infrastructure can alleviate these issues.
Protocol Overhead
Certain communication protocols introduce additional data transmission overhead, affecting usable throughput.
Quality of Service (QoS) Policies
QoS policies prioritize certain types of network traffic over others. Well-configured QoS policies can allocate network resources effectively, ensuring critical traffic receives the necessary bandwidth and improving overall throughput.
How to Improve Throughput
1.Use a Wired Connection
Wireless connections can get “lost” because they’re sent through the air. When this happens, servers have to send the information repeatedly, causing a delay. You can strengthen your wireless signal, but latency is still bound to happen because all wireless signals have this problem to varying degrees. Using an Ethernet cable is a cheap and easy way to improve your connection. Updating to a fiber-optic network is also an option.
2.Upgrade Network Hardware
If your network devices (routers, switches, access points) are old, they may not support newer technologies that can significantly enhance network throughput. Businesses looking to adopt cloud services or IoT devices might find it beneficial to upgrade their network hardware to accommodate these technologies more efficiently.
3.Manage Bandwidth
Understand and control your bandwidth usage, eliminate unnecessary services, and set appropriate limitations. In a large enterprise with interconnected branches, effective bandwidth management ensures seamless communication and data transfer, particularly during times of high inter-branch activity.
4.Adjust Quality of Service Settings
Use QoS settings in your router to prioritize essential traffic. For instance, in a corporate environment, IT teams can prioritize video conferencing or critical application traffic over casual browsing. This ensures uninterrupted meetings and smooth application performance.
5.Regular Monitoring and Maintenance
Continuously monitor the network’s performance, identify bottlenecks or issues, and perform routine maintenance to ensure optimal performance.
6.Performance Testing
Conduct performance testing and benchmarking to measure and validate the actual achievable throughput for specific applications and use cases. This helps identify any limitations and optimize the network accordingly.
Common Misconceptions About Network Throughput
- Throughput Equals Bandwidth: One common misconception, that we briefly mentioned at the beginning of the article, is that network throughput is the same as network bandwidth. While bandwidth refers to the maximum capacity of a network connection, throughput represents the actual data transfer rate achieved in practice. Factors such as network congestion, latency, and packet loss can affect throughput, even if the network has high bandwidth.
- Consistent Throughput at All Times: Another misconception is that network throughput remains constant under all circumstances. In reality, throughput can fluctuate due to various factors like network congestion, varying traffic loads, and network conditions. Understanding these fluctuations helps manage expectations and optimize network performance.
- Higher Throughput Always Equals Better Performance: While higher throughput is generally desirable, it does not always guarantee better overall network performance. Other factors like latency, packet loss, and application requirements also contribute to the user experience. It’s essential to consider multiple performance metrics and requirements in addition to throughput.
- Throughput is Solely Determined by Network Equipment: While network equipment plays a crucial role in determining throughput, other factors like network configuration, quality of network cables, and end-user devices can also impact throughput. It’s important to consider the entire network ecosystem when assessing and optimizing throughput.
- Throughput is the Sole Responsibility of the Network Service Provider: While service providers are responsible for delivering the promised bandwidth, achieving optimal throughput also depends on the local network environment, including internal network configuration, equipment, and network utilization. Organizations should assess and optimize their internal network infrastructure for optimal throughput.
Conclusion
Network throughput is a key indicator of real-world network performance. By understanding the factors that influence throughput and applying best practices to optimize it, organizations and individuals can ensure reliable, efficient, and high-performing network connectivity.
