Networks - EdexcelNetwork data speeds

Network data speeds are measured in bits per second. These numbers are huge so they are measured in millions of bits per second - Mbps - and billions of bits per second - Gbps:

• 1 Mbps = 1,000,000 bits per second
• 1 Gbps = 1,000,000,000 bits per second

Calculate how long it would take to transmit a file. Use the formula:

time = size of file (in bits) / network speed (in bits)

So, for a 4 kilobytes (KB) file and a network transmission speed of 10 Mbps:

Size of file:

1 KB = 1,024

4 KB = 1,024 x 8 x 4 = 32,768 bits

Speed of network:

10 Mbps = 10 x 1,000,000 = 10,000,000 bits per second

Time to transmit:

32,768 / 10,000,000 = 0.0032768 seconds