We’re moving on to the T in LOTUs. Throughput. But first we want to touch on bandwidth to give you a frame of reference. We already addressed how Internet Service Providers sell you on their services based on how much bandwidth they can provide. And we’ll get more into that in future blogs.

However, there is a disconnect between the maximum amount of bandwidth an ISP can provide and the actual bandwidth – or throughput – your network is capable of providing.

Internet Service Providers often offer a variety of “speed” packages, depending on your needs. They provide different tiers of bandwidth for uploading and downloading data. A package from an ISP suitable for your business needs may include 150Mbps download and 15Mbps upload. No matter which provider you choose, they will most likely issue a disclaimer similar to the following:

“Internet speed claims (bandwidth) represent maximum network service capabilities. Actual customer speeds may vary based on a number of factors and are not guaranteed.”

It’s true that there are many factors that will influence the actual speed at which your data is transmitted. This actual speed is called throughput. One such factor is the number and type of Internet protocols necessary to complete a data transmission. (Remember our discussion on packets?)

You can be on a highway where the speed limit is 75 miles per hour and the road is wide open. But if your towing a 35-foot boat, going up hill, the maximum speed limit is just an unattainable number. You’ll most likely be chugging along at about 45.

And then there is the big L. Latency will have a dramatic impact on the amount of throughput you will experience at any given time. That is why latency and throughput are indelibly linked.

For a business that is reliant on the Internet to be successful, both low latency and high bandwidth are absolutely necessary to generate the kind of throughput that will keep a company running on all cylinders. 

This is why throughput is one of the key performance indicators that the JitterWorks Network Performance Monitor tracks and trends. If you’re not tracking and trending throughput, you will often be left in the dark when it comes to performance issues. And if JitterWorks doesn’t track and trend throughput, all we’re left with is LOU!