Week 10: Muddy

Bandwidth 

Defined in the lecture as "the amount of data that can be transmitted through a given communications channel in a given period of time," I was a bit confused about what bandwidth actually was. Though I am familiar with the term and how it is used, conceptualizing how it works in the broader realm of things proved to be a challenge for me. 

Bandwidth is further defined as:

"A data transmission rate; the maximum amount of information (bits/second) that can be transmitted along a channel." (wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn)

"The amount of spectrum available to each communications licensee." (www.cetconnect.org/TElevision/Digital_Glossary.aspx)

"The total range of frequency required to pass a specific, modulated signal without distortion or loss of data."  (chesapeake.towson.edu/glossary.asp)

"How much information you can send through a connection. The capacity of a connection usually measured in bits per second." (www.chicowebdesign.com/common-terms.php)

These definitions further explain the concept of bandwidth in and easier, more understandable way when they're put side by side. 

So now that the concept of bandwidth is more clear, how is this useful information for you?

Bandwidth relates to the incoming and outgoing amount of data exchanged through a particular computer or network of computers. More data exchange means a slower network and thus, requires larger bandwidth as to not "clog up" the connection. To give you a sense of how much bandwidth is needed for different tasks, while an e-mail may take up about 2kb, streaming a movie may take about 2.5gb of bandwidth-an extreme difference (wisegeek.com). So, depending on what your computer is used for, you may need more bandwidth to properly fulfill these tasks. 

Different types of bandwidth include:

Narrow Band: An Internet connection speed that is most commonly associated with dial-up and uses phone lines and transmitting over voice-grade frequencies. Its highest effective speed the connection can provide is about 56k, or, 56,000 bits per second (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-narrowband.htm). 

Broadband: "Even the slowest broadband speeds are usually 5 times faster than narrow band," states wisegeek.com. The FCC defines broadband as a high-speed Internet access, with data transmission speeds reaching 200kbps per second or higher either downstream or upstream. So why is it so much better than dialup?

• Allows more information and content to be transmitted through the pipeline
• Provides access to the highest quality Internet services like VOIP, media streaming, gaming and interactive services. 
• Full-range accessibility to opportunities on the Internet.
• Broadband is always on and does not disturb any phone lines or require any reconnection.
• Faster transmission which means great efficiency and time saved.

Click here to learn more about broadband 

It is important to be familiar with bandwidth and the different types especially as items are being accomplished more and more online. Knowing the right connection capability for your purpose is crucial in getting a task done quickly and efficiently.