企业使用许多需要Internet连接的设备，包括计算机、打印机和VoIP电话。但是他们需要多少带宽？本文将帮助企业估算其业务网络的带宽需求。它将涵盖：
- 什么是带宽(Bandwidth)，它为什么重要(Matter)？
- 您需要多少网络带宽？(Network Bandwidth Do)
- 带宽测量工具
- 监控(Monitor)、测量(Measure)和管理数据流(Manage Data Flow)和数据(Data)量
什么是带宽，它为什么重要？(What Is Bandwidth and Why Does it Matter?)
带宽是衡量通过无线(how fast data is sent over a wireless)或有线连接发送数据的速度（以每秒比特数为单位）。
低带宽就像高峰时段的高速公路。一切都变慢了。正如增加额外的车道会加速流量一样，增加带宽可以让更多的数据流动。
但是，正确估计带宽需求将阻止您支付超出业务需求的费用，或者购买不足并导致连接缓慢。
出于多种原因，监控业务网络的带宽至关重要，包括：
- 识别 Wi-Fi 接入点以确定潜在的滥用情况。
- 当您需要升级带宽时，监控网络使用情况(Monitoring network usage)有助于规划业务增长。
- 作为对Internet 服务提供商(Internet Service Provider)( ISP ) 保证速度的检查，以确保您获得所支付的商定带宽。
如何估计带宽要求(How To Estimate Bandwidth Requirements)
要估计企业的带宽需求，首先要访问Internet使用情况。接下来(Next)，查看您的业务增长预测，以确保Internet带宽能够满足随着公司发展而增加的使用需求。
并非每个在线活动都占用相同的带宽。首先(Start)计算典型高峰期每天使用的带宽，并监控哪些应用程序使用的带宽最多(using the most bandwidth)。
这意味着一天中大多数连接到互联网的设备同时使用的时间。根据以下类别整理您的业务中使用的设备。
- 低 – (Low –) 100 Kbps（千比特每秒）或更低(100 Kbps (kilobits per second) or less)：用于发送电子邮件和简单网上冲浪的电子传真机、VoIP电话、笔记本电脑和计算机(VoIP)
- 中 – (Medium –) 100-500 Kbps：更密集的网页浏览、流媒体、电子邮件和下载
- 高 – (High –) 500Kbps – 2.0Mbps（每秒兆位）(500Kbps – 2.0Mbps (megabits per second))：使用基于云的平台和软件程序（例如客户资源管理(Customer Resource Management)、销售(Sale)点(Point)和企业资源规划(Enterprise Resource Planning)）的设备
- 密集型(Intensive)– 2.0Mbps 及更高(2.0Mbps and higher)：高清视频会议设备和平台
如上所述，根据设备所在的类别将带宽与每个设备相关联。要计算典型的峰值带宽使用量，请确定每台设备每天使用多少小时。
查看您拥有的员工数量或使用同一网络的人数。下一步是计算每个用户在网上花费的时间。
做出此决定的一种方法是要求员工填写一份问卷，询问他们在网上花费了多少时间以及他们在做什么。然而，这并不是最准确的方法。有关测量实际带宽使用情况的工具，请参见下文。
将(Add)总带宽相加，以了解贵公司在运营高峰期的需求。了解哪些设备和哪些用户消耗最多的数据将使您的企业更好地控制使用情况，并使您能够规划容量。
带宽测量工具(Bandwidth Measuring Tools)
以下是帮助企业监控单台计算机或网络上的流量使用和带宽的几种工具。(monitor their traffic usage)
SolarWinds® 网络性能监视器(SolarWinds® Network Performance Monitor)
SolarWinds是一款免费的实时带宽工具，可帮助用户监控其网络上的流量。
(View)在易于阅读的图表上查看使用情况。用户可以管理其网络上的流量，并且：
- 同时监控(Monitor)来自同一网络上不同设备的多个接口。
- 查看正在使用的带宽以及每个接口上的流量。
- 设置(Set)关键和警告阈值以立即查看是否存在影响Internet速度的任何带宽或其他问题。
网络(Networx)
Networx是一个 Windows 工具，它使用户能够在本地监控网络流量并查看每个联网设备的流量。
FREEWare许可证不是一个功能(FREEWare)齐全的工具。但是，它确实提供了有价值的数据来帮助识别可能的问题来源，确保企业不超过带宽限制，并追踪可疑活动。
香料厂(Spiceworks)
Spiceworks是一款免费、简单且易于使用的网络监控工具。设置(Set)警报以在用户注意到之前发现问题。
不仅工具本身是免费的，支持也是如此。获取交换机、服务器和任何 IP 设备的实时更新。Spiceworks专为监控少于 25 台设备的企业而设计。
监控、测量和管理数据流和数据量(Monitor, Measure, and Manage Data Flow and Data Volume)
在当今的数字世界中，一切都与带宽有关。企业向Internet 服务提供商(Internet Service Provider)( ISP ) 支付他们使用的带宽量。
如果不管理带宽的消耗方式，您可能会对您的互联网体验产生负面影响。如果您的互联网访问有数据上限，则超出分配的带宽可能会花费很多钱，降低您的连接速度，或两者兼而有之。
通过测量和监控互联网连接速度，您可以：
- 请放心，您得到的是您所支付的
- 识别(Identify)带宽消耗以管理其消耗
- 进行(Make)调整以提供最佳网络性能
测试您的网速
验证您的ISP是否提供了您在包裹中支付的速度。有第三方网站可以测试您的网(Internet)速，例如Speedtest.net。
速度可能会因一天中的时间而异，因此请测试几个不同的时间（晚上和周末通常有更多的流量）。根据您从ISP购买的套餐中的速度检查您的基线结果。如果速度明显降低，请致电您的提供商并要求他们检查一下。
在您了解您的业务需要多少带宽后，您将能够更好地做出明智的决定并在选择服务计划时估计您的带宽需求。
与为您的业务提供缓冲所需的带宽相比，支付更多的带宽会更好。此外，为了规划公司未来的发展和增加的带宽需求，请尝试找到一个可以在业务增长时扩大规模的灵活计划。
How to Estimate Bandwidth Requirements for a Business Site or Network
Businesses use many deviсes that require an Internet connection, including computers, printerѕ, and VoIР phоnes. But how much bаndwidth do they need? This article wіll help busineѕsеs estimate bandwidth requirements for their business network. It will cover:
- What Is Bandwidth and Why Does it Matter?
- How Much Network Bandwidth Do You Need?
- Bandwidth Measuring Tools
- Monitor, Measure, and Manage Data Flow and Data Volume
What Is Bandwidth and Why Does it Matter?
Bandwidth is the measurement of how fast data is sent over a wireless or wired connection (measured in bits per second).
Low bandwidth is like a freeway at rush hour. Everything slows down. Just as adding additional lanes speeds up traffic, increasing bandwidth allows more data to flow.
However, correctly estimating bandwidth requirements will prevent you from paying for more than your business needs or not purchasing enough and causing a slow connection.
It’s essential to monitor a business network’s bandwidth for many reasons, including:
- Identifying Wi-Fi access points to determine potential abuse.
- Monitoring network usage helps plan for business growth when you need an upgrade in bandwidth.
- Serving as a check against Internet Service Provider (ISP) guaranteed speed to ensure you are getting the agreed-upon bandwidth you paid for.
How To Estimate Bandwidth Requirements
To estimate bandwidth requirements for a business, first access Internet usage. Next, look at your business growth forecast to ensure the Internet bandwidth will cover the increased usage needs as your company grows.
Not every activity online takes up the same bandwidth. Start by calculating the bandwidth used daily during a typical peak period and monitor which apps are using the most bandwidth.
This means the time of day when most devices connected to the internet are being used at the same time. Organize the devices used in your business based on the categories below.
- Low – 100 Kbps (kilobits per second) or less: E-fax machines, VoIP phones, laptops and computers for emailing and simple web surfing
- Medium – 100-500 Kbps: More intensive web browsing, streaming, emailing, and downloading
- High – 500Kbps – 2.0Mbps (megabits per second): Devices that use cloud-based platforms and software programs such as Customer Resource Management, Point of Sale, and Enterprise Resource Planning
- Intensive – 2.0Mbps and higher: HD video conference devices and platforms
Associate a bandwidth to every device based on which category they are in as outlined above. To calculate the typical peak bandwidth usage, determine how many hours per day each device is used.
Look at the number of employees you have or the number of people using the same network. The next step is to calculate how much time each user spends online.
One way to make this determination is to ask employees to fill out a questionnaire that asks them how much time they spend online and what they’re doing. However, that is not the most accurate method. See below for tools that measure actual bandwidth usage.
Add up the total bandwidth to get an idea of your company’s needs during peak operational time. Knowing what devices and which users consume the most data will give your business better control over usage and enable you to plan for capacity.
Bandwidth Measuring Tools
Below are several tools to help businesses monitor their traffic usage and bandwidth by a single computer or on a network.
SolarWinds® Network Performance Monitor
SolarWinds is a free real-time bandwidth tool to help users monitor the traffic on their network.
View usage on an easy-to-read graph. Users can manage the traffic on their network and:
- Monitor multiple interfaces from different devices on the same network at the same time.
- See how much bandwidth is in use and how much traffic is on each interface.
- Set critical and warning thresholds to instantly see if there are any bandwidth or other issues affecting Internet speed.
Networx
Networx is a Windows tool that enables users to monitor network traffic locally and view the traffic for each networked device.
The FREEWare license is not a fully-featured tool. However, it does provide valuable data to help identify possible sources of problems, ensure that businesses don’t exceed bandwidth limits, and track down suspicious activity.
Spiceworks
Spiceworks is a free, simple, and easy-to-use network monitoring tool. Set alerts to catch problems before users notice.
Not only is the tool itself free, so is the support. Get real-time updates on switches, servers, and any IP device. Spiceworks is designed for businesses that monitor less than 25 devices.
Monitor, Measure, and Manage Data Flow and Data Volume
In today’s digital world, everything is about bandwidth. Businesses pay an Internet Service Provider (ISP) for the amount of bandwidth they’re using.
Without managing how your bandwidth is consumed, you could negatively affect your internet experience. If your internet access has a data cap, going over the allotted bandwidth can cost a lot of money, slow down your connection speed, or both.
By measuring and monitoring internet connection speed, you can:
- Be assured you are getting what you’re paying for
- Identify bandwidth hogs to manage their consumption
- Make tweaks to deliver the best network performance
Test Your Internet Speed
Verify that your ISP is providing the speed you’re paying for in your package. There are third-party websites to test your Internet speed, such as Speedtest.net.
Speeds can vary depending upon the time of day, so test several different times (evenings and weekends usually have more traffic). Check your baseline results against the speed in the package you’re paying for from your ISP. If the speed is significantly lower, call your provider and ask them to check things on their end.
After you get an idea of how much bandwidth your business needs, you will be better able to make an informed decision and estimate your bandwidth requirements when choosing a service plan.
It’s better to pay for a little more bandwidth than you need to give your business a cushion. Also, to plan for the future growth of your company and increased bandwidth needs, try to find a flexible plan that can be scaled up when your business grows.
