How Is Computer Network Performance Measured? GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > Windows 44 44 people found this article helpful
How Is Computer Network Performance Measured?
Internet speed is measured in bits per second
By Bradley Mitchell Bradley Mitchell Writer Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Illinois An MIT graduate who brings years of technical experience to articles on SEO, computers, and wireless networking. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 14, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section Performance Terms Performance Measurement Examples Bits vs Bytes Computer network performance—sometimes called internet speed—is commonly measured in units of bits per second (bps). This quantity can represent either an actual data rate or a theoretical limit to available network bandwidth. Explanation of Performance Terms
Modern networks support enormous numbers of bits per second. Instead of quoting speeds of 10,000 or 100,000 bps, networks normally express per second performance in terms of kilobits (Kbps), megabits (Mbps), and gigabits (Gbps), where: 1 Kbps = 1,000 bits per second1 Mbps = 1,000 Kbps1 Gbps = 1,000 Mbps A network with a performance rate of units in Gbps is much faster than one rated in units of Mbps or Kbps. Examples of Network Performance Measurements
Most network equipment rated in Kbps is outdated and low-performance by today's standards. The following are some speeds and capacity examples: Dial-up modems support transmission rates up to 56 Kbps. The Federal Communications Commission requires broadband internet connections to have download speeds of at least 25 Mbps and upload speeds of at least 3 Mbps. Theoretical speed in a home network using an 802.11g Wi-Fi router is rated at 54 Mbps, while newer 802.11n and 802.11ac routers are rated at 450 Mbps and 1300 Mbps, respectively. An 802.11 ax (Wi-Fi 6) router maxes out at 10 Gbps. The Gigabit Ethernet in an office has a transmission rate approaching 1 Gbps. A fiber-optic internet provider often reaches actual download speeds of 1,000 Mbps. Bits vs Bytes
The conventions used to measure the capacity of computer disks and memory appear similar at first to those used for networks—but don't confuse bits and bytes. Data storage capacity is typically measured in units of kilobytes, megabytes, and gigabytes. In this non-network style of usage, the uppercase K represents a multiplier of 1,024 units of capacity. The following equations define the mathematics behind these terms: 1 KB = 1,024 bytes1 MB = 1,024 KB1 GB = 1,024 MB Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire 5G Speed: How to Understand the Numbers What Is a Good Download Speed and Upload Speed? The 9 Best Internet Service Providers of 2022 What Is a Modem in Computer Networking? How Do Bits, Bytes, Megabytes, Megabits, and Gigabits Differ? How Are 4G and 5G Different? Bit Depth vs. Bit Rate in Audio Recording What Is a Bit in Computing? Task Manager (What It Is & How to Use It) 6G: What It Is & When to Expect It Bit Rate Units: Kbps, Mbps, and Gbps 5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Wireless Router Internet Speed Test Sites (Last Updated October 2022) Understanding Broadband Internet Speeds What Is Bandwidth? Definition, Meaning, and Details Kilobits, Megabits and Gigabits - Network Bit Rates Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies