About Computer Networking: Why Most Bandwidth Caps Are a Bad Idea

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Computer Networking Computer Networking Fundamentals Get Connected Use and Upgrades From Bradley Mitchell, your Guide to Computer Networking The concept of a network bandwidth quota seems logical enough: Limit network utilization of the heaviest users to keep more bandwidth free for everyone else. What could possibly go wrong? Why Most Bandwidth Caps Are a Bad Idea Most networks get much busier at certain times of day such as weekday lunch hours or early evenings (when professionals arrive home their work commute). According to at least this one study, bandwidth caps generally don't solve that problem. They may not actually cap many people but they sure do annoy a lot of folks. Introduction to Computer Network Speed The two key factors that determine the speed of a network connection are bandwidth and latency. Many people talk about network speed in terms of bandwidth, but this is sometimes not correct. See More About:  computer network speed  internet speed tests  The Growing Risk of Internet Catastrophe Networks keep getting faster, but more crowded. New applications appear all the time, but they are becoming more complex to build and maintain. Meanwhile, we all seem to grow more dependent every day on the Internet and other business networks. Is this all a huge catastrophe just waiting to happen? How Is Network Performance Measured? The basic unit of digital data used by computers is called a bit. The units used to measure network performance are likewise based on bits, but because networks are so fast, millions and even billions of bits need to be represented by the notation. Wireless / Networking Ads Computer Networking Networking Support Computer Networks Wireless Wan Networking Cabling Featured Articles Does Wi-Fi Really Lower Male Fertility? Introduction to Proxy Servers What Is an SSID? Top Internet Speed Test Services How Fast Is a Cell Phone Modem? Wireless/Networking Message Board   More from About.com 2011's Cutest Winter Boots Snuggly snow boots are essential for women who live in cold climates, but still want to put their best foot forward. More> 10 Budget Work Essentials Figuring out how to pay for a fabulous work wardrobe can be a challenge. These 10 mix-and-max essentials are all under $50. More> This newsletter is written by: Bradley Mitchell Computer Networking Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Computer Networking newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Must Reads Wireless Router Networking IP Addresses + Internet Networks Connecting Two Computers Home Network Diagrams Home Network Setup Advisor Tool   Follow me on: Advertisement