Jan 11
4
The base of any network is the physical devices that are used over the network. In the same way, internet is a chain of many private ‘backbone’ networks. These networks swap data with each other with extreme efficiency.
Your host sends your data to one of those backbones, which is pre-configured to allow other backbone providers to access your data. However, your host may have a connection to a larger ISP, which has further connection to another ‘upstream’ provider, before the data hits other target backbone.
There can be many layers of service providers between your host and the backbone, and the more the backbones, greater is the chance of things going wrong. Ideally, you should ask your host – how many hops are there between the site and the user?
The best option is that you find out a host with a minimum of one T-3 (45 mbps) line connection to the Internet’s backbone. This is 28 times faster than the T-1’s used by many smaller providers. However, the size of connection makes no difference; rather you should note what percentage of bandwidth is being utilized by existing demands on the system.
As studies on bandwidth reveal, the average bandwidth utilization should not be greater than 30% of the available total, and peak bandwidth should not be greater than 60% to 70%. The performance across network begins to decline if the bandwidth exceeds this limit. It is recommended that you specify the bandwidth requirements in written agreement with the host.
Make sure that your host chooses top-drawer hardware. The physical devices that you use to connect from one device to another should also be of top quality. An uninterrupted power supply should be ensured and a strong power backup system should always be available in case of sudden power failure. The records of all physical devices should be maintained and updated for their warranty periods and for maintenance records.