What is Throughput in Networking?

Published on: September 21, 2021

.

10 min read

.

For German Version

People frequently use phrases like "My Internet connection is really slow!" to characterize their web browsing (or overall Internet) experiences. But what they refer to as "speed" is the result of several networking-related factors, such as bandwidth, throughput, latency, packet loss, and so forth.

Throughput, bandwidth, and latency are three related words that are occasionally used interchangeably. The capacity of the network to move a large amount of data at once is referred to as network bandwidth. The amount of data is expressed in throughput. Data transmission speed is referred to as latency.

Throughput is the actual data transfer rate on a network per unit of time, while bandwidth is the link's theoretical maximum capacity. In addition to other factors, bandwidth, latency, and transmission media limitations can affect throughput. Network throughput and latency, taken together, are indicators of network performance.

In this post, we'll examine Network Throughput, one of the elements that affect network speed. And you will discover the responses to the following queries:

• What is throughput in networking?
• Why is network throughput monitoring important?
• How do I monitor network throughput?
• What can affect network throughput?
• How Is Network Throughput Calculated?
• How to Optimize Network Throughput
• What are the Best Network Throughput measurement Software and Tools?
  1. SolarWinds Network Bandwidth Analyzer Pack
  2. iperf3
  3. TotuSoft LAN Speed Test
  4. NetStress
  5. TamoSoft Throughput Test
  6. IxChariot
• What is the Difference Between Throughput and Network Speed?
• What is the Difference Between Throughput and Bandwidth?

What is Throughput in Networking?

Throughput is how many units of information a system can process in a given time. The speed at which data may be transferred, received, and processed between two places on a network is, thus, determined by throughput. It is widely used in systems ranging from organizations to different components of computer and network systems. Latency, bandwidth, and protocol overhead are a few factors that can affect throughput. To improve network performance, it is crucial to guarantee the maximum throughput rate feasible.

The speed at which a particular workload may be finished and response time, which is the interval between a single interactive user request and receiving the response, are related measurements of system productivity.

As a result, when discussing network throughput, the units of measurement are frequently bps, Kbps, Mbps, gigabits per second (Gbps), and so forth.

Thus, network users desire to receive high-quality responses as soon as possible while making requests, such as viewing a website, utilizing an application, placing a call, or downloading a file. Thanks to high-speed networks, employees can complete their tasks quickly and deliberately. A high-throughput network generally operates efficiently, meaning it transmits a lot of data per second and responds quickly to user requests. A network with low throughput does not transmit a lot of data per second. It is a sign of poor network performance and may be the result of excessive jitter, packet loss, and delay.

Why is Network Throughput Monitoring Important?

One of the first things you should check if your network is sluggish and slow is your network throughput. Throughput is as important to network performance as bandwidth.

You can determine whether removing specific users and programs is sufficient by keeping an eye on statistics or whether you need to buy more bandwidth.

Network throughput measurement is essential for managing and improving network performance. Administrators learn a lot about a network's performance and capacity by measuring the data transfer rates inside it. They can use this information to solve problems, make expansion plans, guarantee service quality, and meet performance goals.

You can track the efficiency of your network infrastructure by measuring network throughput. You can locate any performance bottlenecks, congestion locations, or inefficient places by routinely analyzing throughput. You can use this information to enhance your network settings, address problems, and guarantee lag-free data transfer.

Network administrators and IT specialists can proactively control and improve network performance with the help of network throughput measurement. It ensures SLA compliance while facilitating troubleshooting, capacity planning, and QoS control. Organizations may maintain dependable and effective network operations, improve user experience, and support the seamless operation of essential applications and services by regularly monitoring throughput.

In general, the benefits given below should help us understand why it is crucial to have high network throughput monitoring:

• increased data transfer reliability and speed.
• decreased latency, or the time between sending and receiving data.
• greater bandwidth utilization for faster streaming and downloading rates.
• improved support for internet activities such as VoIP conversations, streaming video, and gaming.
• faster and more secure data transmission results in improved network security.
• decreased chance of packet loss or other mistakes as a result of slow transmission rates.
• increased output since jobs may be finished more quickly with more throughput.

What can Affect Network Throughput?

Network throughput has a significant impact on network performance. Data transmission through a network can be done more efficiently and effectively, depending on the throughput level. The following are some significant ways that network throughput influences network performance:

• Enforced Restriction: There are frequently pre-set restrictions in place to control the throughput on a network. The usual priority given to voice traffic on a segment serves as an excellent illustration. Other forms of traffic in the same section may experience restrictions as a result. Alternatively, consider your ISP company. While 100 Mbit/s, 500 Mbit/s, or 1 Gbit/s services are frequently provided over the exact same cable, the throughput is frequently constrained by the service plan you choose.

• Limited Transmission Medium: The bandwidth (or theoretical capacity) of a given communication channel determines its throughput. A FastEthernet interface, for instance, has a theoretical data throughput of 100 Mbps. As a result, they are limited to a 100 Mbps data rate, regardless of the amount of traffic that has to be delivered across that interface. Over such an interface, the actual data rate will be roughly 95% of the theoretical capability.

• Data Transfer Speed: Greater network throughput makes it possible for faster data transfer speeds. When the network has faster throughput, large files, multimedia content, or data-intensive applications can be transferred more quickly. Users enjoy shorter wait times and increased productivity as a result of the faster delivery of data.

• Network Overload: Any network will experience congestion if there are just too many packets for it to handle. Sometimes there are simply too many devices or packets sent at once. This may happen frequently during particular times of the year or certain periods of time. It's a great tool for measuring and evaluating network throughput to identify and address these issues. A network's level of congestion will have an impact on throughput. When seen from the standpoint of a single source-destination set, the more crowded the network is, the less throughput will be available on that network.

• Network Saturation: If there are simply too many packets for a network to manage, congestion will result. Sometimes there are just too many sending devices or packets. Depending on the season or the time of year, this could occur frequently. It's an excellent tool for assessing network throughput to find and fix these problems.

  The degree of congestion on a network will have an effect on throughput. From the perspective of a single source-destination set, the network's throughput will decrease as it becomes more crowded.

• User Encounter: Network performance has a direct impact on the user experience. Users who access online resources, websites, or cloud-based services may experience delays, buffering, or disruptions when throughput is poor. A network with enough throughput guarantees a smooth and quick user experience.

• Operation Protocol: The protocol used to send and receive packets over a link can also have an impact on the throughput. Examples of features that can affect when and how much data can be transferred between two devices include flow control and congestion avoidance capabilities in TCP.

• Jitter: Delay variation has the condition of jitter. Numerous applications require predictable and dependable throughput in addition to strong throughput. Voice and video traffic are two instances of this. The end application won't function properly if the delay has a lot of jitter. Calls will be disconnected, videos will be frozen, or connections will be reset.

• Errors and Packet Loss: Similar to latency, packet loss and mistakes can have an impact on the throughput of specific types of traffic. This is due to the possibility of having to retransmit faulty or missing packets, which lowers the average throughput between the communication devices. Numerous elements, such as bottlenecks, security breaches, and damaged equipment, can have an impact on both latency and packet loss.

• Future Growth and Scalability: Planning network scalability and supporting future growth require careful consideration of network throughput. A network with enough throughput capacity can adjust and manage the expanding traffic requirements as data demands increase over time without noticeably degrading performance.

• SLAs (Service Level Agreements): Service level agreements between service providers and their clients frequently include network throughput. To guarantee a specific level of performance, SLAs may contain minimum throughput guarantees. To fulfill these contractual responsibilities, appropriate throughput levels must be monitored and maintained.

How is Network Throughput Calculated?

The throughput is estimated in megabits, kilobits, or bits per second by dividing the file size by the amount of time. So, the following is the networking throughput formula:

(Data Size / Transmission Time) x 8 = Throughput

Transmission Time is the entire time required to transmit the data in seconds, and Data Size is the quantity of data transmitted in bytes. To translate the result into bits per second, the result is then multiplied by 8.

A file of 1000 bytes transferred over a network in two seconds, for instance, would have a throughput of (1000/2) * 8 = 4,000 bps.

Additionally, throughput can be calculated in a variety of sectors, including services that don't trade in tangible goods:

• A car company needs to figure out its throughput. It has a 5-day capacity of 100 cars, hence, its throughput is 20 cars each day: 20 = 100 / 5

• A 50-person call center operates on 8-hour shifts. The throughput is 7.5 calls per hour per employee if a shift's worth of 3000 calls were answered: 7.5 is equal to 3000 /(50x8).

• A soda manufacturer operates three machines that can fill 1800 soda cans every minute. The throughput of the soda firm is 600 cans per minute. 3 machines at 1 minute each = 600 = 1800 cans.

Bits per second (bps) is the unit used to express network throughput. It is a common misconception that how long it takes to upload or download a large file determines the maximum throughput of a network. This approach ignores communication expenses, including network receiver window size, machine constraints, and network latency. The maximum network throughput is equal to the TCP window size times the round-trip time of communication data packets.

• Step 1: Changing the TCP window size from bytes to bits. For computers running the Windows operating system, the default TCP window size is 64 KB. By dividing the number of bytes by eight, you can convert the window size to bits. 8 x 64 KB = 524,288 bits.
• Step 2: Multiply the network path latency by the bit size of the TCP window. Use a latency of 60 milliseconds for this example. 8,738,133 bits per second (524,288 bits /.060 seconds).
• Step 3: Divide the result from step 2 by 1,000,000 to convert it to megabits per second. The high latency of the network connection is the key factor limiting the network throughput in this scenario, which results in a maximum throughput of 8.738 Mbps.

How to Optimize Network Throughput?

Here are some practical methods and ideas for increasing network throughput.

• Gathering data is the initial step in optimizing many different processes. To track the throughput of your networks over time, use software apps. You can see if there are any periods of time when your throughput is particularly slow. Having this knowledge gives you a sense of how well your network is currently performing and enables you to come up with practical solutions to enhance network functioning and design.
• When the network is congested or the bandwidth is unable to maintain the strain on the network, it can be increased to provide additional throughput.
• It is necessary to locate and eliminate bottlenecks in the network.
• This will significantly lessen latency and packet loss or errors, which will ease network congestion. Keep in mind that medium limitations, such as employing 100 Mbps ports rather than 10 Gbps interfaces, can cause bottlenecks.
• It is advisable to upgrade overloaded devices and replace defective devices and components.
• Critical traffic can be protected from network congestion by using Quality of Service (QoS). While this won't increase the network's total performance, it will guarantee good throughput for important traffic.
• Analyze endpoint usage. Some workers might add latency by using programs that are not necessary for their jobs.
• Invest in an Ethernet cable. Thus, latency and packet loss can be decreased.
• Switch off your network. This could aid in removing software bugs.
• Close any unused programs. There are some programs that need a lot of bandwidth.
• Invest in new hardware. Think about investing in new switches and routers.
• With your internet service provider, communicate. They might be the source of the issue.

What are the Best Network Throughput measurement Software and Tools?

Some of the tools available for monitoring and assessing network performance are specifically designed to measure throughput. These are the tools that will be discussed next. The instruments below measure throughput in various ways. While some will run stress tests, others may use analysis protocols like SNMP or NetFlow.

1. SolarWinds Network Bandwidth Analyzer Pack: SolarWinds has established a strong reputation for producing some of the best network monitoring tools. A TFTP server and subnet calculator are just two of the many free products offered by the US-based business that specifically cater to the demands of network administrators.

   SolarWinds Network Bandwidth Analyzer Pack includes a throughput analysis solution. However, this is not a standalone solution; rather, it is an add-on for either the SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyst, a top-notch NetFlow collector and analyst, or the SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, one of the best SNMP monitoring tools.

2. iperf3: The iperf family of programs can be used to figure out IP networks' maximum throughput. ESnet and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory are the major developers of Iperf3. It is distributed under a BSD license with three clauses. These three operating systems, CentOS Linux, FreeBSD, and OS X, are used for the majority of development. There have been reports of some success with OpenBSD, Android, and other Linux variants, though.

   iperf3 has a number of configurable timing, protocol, and buffer options that let you tailor the work to your precise requirements. Iperf3 reports the measured throughput, loss, and other parameters for each test.

   iperf3 has several upgrades over its predecessors and has a number of features that are currently found in other programs like nuttcp and netperf. The earlier iperf lacked these practical functions. For instance, this version has an optional JSON output and a zero-copy mode. Keep in mind that iperf3 is not backward compatible with iperf.

3. TotuSoft LAN Speed Test: The LAN Speed Test does not only test local area networks, despite its name. It was created from the ground up to be a straightforward yet effective tool for gauging LAN, USB, hard drive, and file transfer speeds. The tool works by figuring out how long it will take to move a certain amount of data. It will gauge the throughput of any local hard drive or USB storage device you choose as its destination. On the other hand, it will gauge the network performance if you choose a remote storage location.

   The test file is first constructed in memory by LAN Speed Test before being transferred both ways (without the negative effects of Windows/Mac file caching) and timed. The calculations are then completed for you.

   Another choice is to send the file to a different computer that is running the LAN Speed Test Server. This can be helpful since it ensures that the throughput of the LAN, not any latency in the distant host storage subsystem, is being measured. The LAN Speed Test Server will save the received data in memory rather than on disk, much like the LAN Speed Test Tool does.

4. NetStress: An instrument called NetStress is dedicated to gauging wireless network throughput. It is a client and server-based technology that can efficiently gauge throughput between the two. It can therefore be applied to wired networks as well.

   It is advised to use this tool to first create a benchmark for a network's performance. Then you run it again and compare the results to the benchmark when problems are detected, and you assume performance has declined. If there is a throughput problem, this will let you know and show you what has to be done to remedy it. In fact, here is where the tool's wireless expertise is most useful.

   There are several features in NetStress. First of all, there is only one tool that can function as either the client or the server. Additionally, it will enable multiple data streams and varied segment sizes for TCP and UDP data transfers. Additionally, it contains a number of sophisticated parameters that you can customize. You can select the display units, for instance, to be in bits or bytes per second.

5. TamoSoft Throughput Test: TamoSoft Throughput Test is a freeware utility. This indicates that even if it is free, it is not open source. Continually transmitting TCP and UDP data streams over your network and computing crucial metrics is how the program operates. For example, the round-trip time, packet loss, and upstream and downstream throughput figures will all be computed. The program shows the results as charts and in numerical form.

   The TamoSoft Throughput Test allows users to assess network performance based on Quality of Service (QoS) settings and supports IPv4 and IPv6 connections. This utility has a server and a client, similar to a few other utilities on our list.

6. IxChariot: Our list concludes with IxChariot from Ixia, the software division of Keysight, a manufacturer of some of the most well-known electronics test equipment. IxChariot is a comprehensive network analysis solution with a vast array of additional features, making it much more than just a throughput measurement tool. It will measure throughput, otherwise, it wouldn't be on our list, but it will perform a lot of other tasks.

   You can use IxChariot to quickly evaluate network performance, including geolocation and wireless speed. Endpoints' performance will enable the centralized control of any platform and will run on mobile devices, PCs, Macs, and any hypervisor or cloud service. The software offers full application emulation as well as crucial performance data like throughput, packet loss, jitter, latency, MOS, and OTT movies like Netflix or YouTube.

What is the Difference Between Throughput and Network Speed?

In the realm of networking, the terms network speed and network throughput are frequently used interchangeably; however, they are not the same thing. Despite the fact that they all refer to the amount of data that may be transmitted via a network, the phrases have distinct definitions and functions despite sharing the same concept. Network administrators and anyone managing or resolving network performance issues should be aware of the distinction between network speed and throughput.

The speed at which data is transported between two devices on a network is referred to as network speed, which is the most frequently mentioned statistic when it comes to network and application performance. On the other hand, the actual amount of data that is transmitted via a network or communication channel in a specific amount of time is referred to as throughput.

We'll use the water pipe comparison once more to clarify the distinction between throughput and network speed. There is a network of water pipes. The highest water flow rate that a pipe can handle is analogous to the network speed.

The throughput is comparable to the volume of water that actually moves through the pipe in a specific amount of time. The water pressure, pipe diameter, and any blockages or leaks are just a few of the factors that affect how much water flows through the pipe exactly.

In conclusion, throughput refers to the actual rate at which data is communicated over a network, taking into consideration real-world performance parameters, while network speed refers to the theoretical maximum rate at which data may be transmitted over a network. For the best network performance, it's crucial to comprehend both ideas and keep an eye on them.

What is the Difference Between Throughput and Bandwidth?

Though they assess separate features of a network, throughput and bandwidth are concepts that are closely related. Throughput is the quantity of data that successfully traverses a network, whereas bandwidth is the network's maximum data volume capacity.

On the surface, bandwidth and throughput seem to be comparable, but in reality, they couldn't be more dissimilar. Consider bandwidth as a conduit and throughput as water to illustrate the relationship between the two, which is the most prevalent comparison. More water or data can flow through a pipe or bandwidth at once as it gets bigger. As a result, in a network, the throughput tells you how many packets are actually being carried, whereas the bandwidth specifies how many packets may be sent and received simultaneously between devices. Your network and data transmission technologies should have both throughput and bandwidth. These distinctions between the throughput and bandwidth are listed below:

• Purpose: Throughput is used to quantify data, whereas bandwidth is used to gauge a network's capability. Imagine a tunnel that is filled with water. Throughput is comparable to the amount of water moving through the tube each second. Similar to bandwidth, the tunnel's width determines whether more water could pass through the tunnel, or more data could transit a network with a wider tunnel or better bandwidth. However, a wider tunnel might still be subject to leaks and a slow water stream, just as a greater bandwidth might experience transmission delays and packet losses.

• Relation to data transfer in practice: Both throughput and bandwidth are measured in bits per second, but throughput is a useful parameter that tracks actual packet delivery. On the contrary, bandwidth is a theoretical statistic whose function is to measure the probability of packet delivery.

  Imagine you need to move some soil to a garden so you can plant it. You may fit up to 10 pounds of soil in your bag. This is comparable to the bag's capacity and bandwidth. However, since you only require 5 pounds of soil, you merely transfer that to the garden site. The throughput is equal to your bandwidth if you fill the bag to the brim and convey 10 pounds of soil. The bandwidth is 15 if a larger, 15-pound bag is used.

  Relating to the rate of data transfer, Speed is defined in mathematics as the amount of distance that a moving object may cover in a given amount of time. The distance that data travels over a network in a second would then seem to be a sensible measure of data transmission speed. However, IT specialists frequently use the word "speed" in a variety of contexts. Many people interchangeably refer to "speed" as "throughput" or "data transfer rate". There is the idea of "latency", which describes how long it takes for a data packet to travel from its source to its destination.

  A high throughput indicates a fast network since it indicates that consumers are getting lots of data every second. High bandwidth makes it possible for networks to operate at high speeds because it permits the simultaneous transport of enormous volumes of data.

Bandwidth and Throughput Comparison Table

Comparison of bandwidth and throughput is given in the following table:

Comparison	Bandwidth	Throughput
Basic	A channel is used to transmit data capacity.	A useful indicator of how much data is really transmitted across a channel
Measured in	A bit per second	The measurement of the average rate depends on bandwidth. Bits transmitted per second (bps) are used to measure it.
Concerned with	Data transfer by some method.	Message exchange between two entities
Relevance to layer	Physical layer characteristics.	Work at any of the OSI model's layers.
Dependence	not be reliant on latency	According to the latency
Definition	The most data that can be transmitted from one location to another is what is meant by this phrase.	It is regarded as a measurement of the real amount of data moving across the media at any given moment.
Effect	It is a theoretical unit to some extent, so physical obstruction has no effect on it.	Variations in interference, network traffic, network device usage, transmission faults, and a variety of other types easily have an impact on it.
Example taken from real life (a water tap).	It refers to how quickly water is dripping from the tap.	It is the total volume of water released.

Table 1. Bandwidth vs Throughput