Network bandwidth is a measure of the maximum amount of data a network can transmit over a specific period of time. This differs slightly from throughput, which measures how much data actually traverses the network in a given time period.
In other words, network bandwidth refers to a network's (and each frequency band's) theoretical capacity to carry data from point A to point B. We see this same mechanic at play within our highway systems. While practical outcomes might differ for various reasons, wider highways with multiple lanes can accommodate more traffic vs. smaller ones. Each network frequency band has a "width" based on its frequency range, which impacts overall bandwidth.
How much network bandwidth you have at your disposal depends on your internet service provider (ISP), service plans, equipment, and often your delivery method (wireless vs. wired). For example, the introduction of fiber optic technology was a game changer thanks to the speed and bandwidth enhancements it brought to consumers.
Why is network bandwidth important?
Any online game you've ever played, TV series you've ever streamed, and video conference you've ever joined has consumed bandwidth. Plus, more devices are online than ever before, demonstrated by the ongoing shift from IPv4 addresses (now completely exhausted) to IPv6 addresses. This leaves ample room for future devices. However, those devices will place ongoing demands on networks with limited capacity to carry data. This begs the question, "How much network bandwidth do I really need?"
While each household's bandwidth needs vary pretty widely (and focus more closely on the number of supported devices), business needs are also diverse. These requirements are often greater for enterprises, whose applications juggle vast amounts of traffic and data each second. In these cases, optimizations and security measures are crucial to protect that available bandwidth against traffic spikes, cyber attacks, and congestion. That last element is key, as the number of clients connected to a network will determine the overall strain on its resources.
Bandwidth also differs depending on the type of network you're using. A multi-channel WiFi network running on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands can carry different estimated quantities of data versus cellular networks that operate between 600MHz and 39GHz. This isn't quite an apples-to-apples comparison, though, since cellular networks are designed for the masses.
How does HAProxy help with bandwidth concerns?
HAProxy products excel at distributing traffic as efficiently as possible while reducing latency, slashing request/response payloads, and protecting against bandwidth sapping security threats. The HAProxy Enterprise WAF, HAProxy Enterprise Bot Management Module, Global Rate Limiting, and PacketShield features guard against abuse and volumetric attacks.
To learn more, check out our Application Acceleration page or our Introduction to Traffic Shaping Using HAProxy.
