Table of Contents
Bandwidth: Maximum Capacity
Bandwidth is the maximum data transfer rate of a network link, typically measured in Mbps or Gbps. A 1 Gbps port can theoretically transfer 125 MB/s of data. However, theoretical maximum is rarely achieved in practice.
Throughput: Actual Achieved Rate
Throughput is the actual data transfer rate measured in real conditions. Various factors reduce throughput below bandwidth: packet loss, network congestion, TCP protocol overhead, application limitations, and routing inefficiencies. A 1 Gbps connection typically achieves 700-900 Mbps real-world throughput under ideal conditions.
Latency: Response Time
Latency measures the time for a packet to travel from source to destination. For interactive applications — game servers, APIs, database queries — latency matters far more than bandwidth. A 100 Mbps connection with 5ms latency serves interactive workloads better than a 1 Gbps connection with 50ms latency.
Bandwidth vs Monthly Transfer
Be careful to distinguish port speed (bandwidth) from monthly transfer allowance. A plan with 1 Gbps bandwidth and 1 TB monthly transfer limits your total monthly usage to 1 TB, regardless of how fast your connection is.
FAQ
What bandwidth do I need for a VPS?
Most web applications never saturate a 100 Mbps connection. The monthly transfer allowance matters more — 1 TB/month supports approximately 10 million pageviews for average web pages.
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