AT first glance throughput vs bandwidth may appear to be same, like both having same measurement unit of bps, however both the terms are quite dissimilar with differences in table below –
| S.No. | BANDWIDTH | THROUGHPUT |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data that can travel through a link or network. | Throughput is the actual amount of data that can be transferred through a network. |
| 2 | Bandwidth is always measured as physical layer property. | Throughput can be measured at any layer in OSI model. |
| 3 | A data rate measured in bits per second. | Average rate of successful message delivery over a communication channel. These data may be delivered over a physical or logical link, or pass through a certain network node |
| 4 | Bandwidth does not depend on latency on link | Throughput depends on latency on the link. |
| 5 | Theoretical performance | Real World performance |
Download the difference table here.
Bandwidth actually gives the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted through a link or channel. Bandwidth does not consider latency and protocols type while considering the traffic traversing the link.
Throughput is defined as rate of successful information delivery over a communication link. That is the actual amount of data that gets transmitted back and forth from computer, through the Internet to the web server in a single unit of time. Several factors like delay, physical media and hardware capabilities can effect this reduction in the bandwidth. Protocols type and latency of link play a pivotal role in deciding throughput which is unlike in case of bandwidth.
A simple example of cars traversing a bridge would explain the difference in a better way.
1 car is taken equivalent to 1 bit of traffic
3 cars (3 bits) can simultaneously cross the bridge in half a second. This makes total of 6 cars (2 * 3 cars) that can cross the bridge in 1 second. Theoretically calculating, bandwidth of the bridge will be 6 bits per second (6 cars per second)
However the real conditions may differ. There are pits and speed breakers on the bridge which may incur delay and allow only 3 cars to take 1 second to cross the bridge .Now, considering the real conditions and delay caused by the road the throughput of traffic will be 3 bits per second (3 cars per second)
Summary –
Bandwidth of traffic transmitted over the bridge = 6 bps
Throughput of traffic transmitted over the bridge = 3 bps
Both the terms may be defined as below –
Bandwidth == Maximum of the transmission media (Theoretically).
Throughput == Time taken to transmit given size of data (Real World)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I am here to share my knowledge and experience in the field of networking with the goal being – “The more you share, the more you learn.”
I am a biotechnologist by qualification and a Network Enthusiast by interest. I developed interest in networking being in the company of a passionate Network Professional, my husband.
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