Network throughput: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 13:06, 29 December 2024

Revision as of 15:16, 13 January 2025

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Four different values are relevant in the context of maximum throughput are used in comparing the ''upper limit'' conceptual performance of multiple systems. They are ''maximum theoretical throughput'', ''maximum achievable throughput'', ''peak measured throughput'', and ''maximum sustained throughput''. These values represent different qualities, and care must be taken that the same definitions are used when comparing different ''maximum throughput'' values.

Each bit must carry the same amount of information if throughput values are to be compared. [[Data compression]] can significantly alter throughput calculations, including generating values exceeding 100% in some cases.<!--[[User:Kvng/RTH]]-->

If the communication is mediated by several links in series with different bit rates, the maximum throughput of the overall link is lower than or equal to the lowest bit rate. The lowest value link in the series is referred to as the [[bottleneck (traffic)|bottleneck]].

===Maximum theoretical throughput===

ThisMaximum numbertheoretical throughput is closely related to the [[channel capacity]] of the system,<ref>Blahut, 2004, p.4</ref> and is the maximum possible quantity of data that can be transmitted under ideal circumstances. In some cases, this number is reported as equal to the channel capacity, though this can be deceptive, as only non-packetized systems (asynchronous) technologies can achieve this without data compression. Maximum theoretical throughput is more accurately reported taking into account format and specification [[protocol overhead|overhead]] with best -case assumptions. This number, like the closely related term 'maximum achievable throughput' below, is primarily used as a rough calculated value, such as for determining bounds on possible performance early in a system design phase.<!--[[User:Kvng/RTH]]-->

===Asymptotic throughput===