Test your knowledge of bandwidth and throughput by answering the following networking questions. Each correct answer includes a short explanation to help you understand why it is correct.
Question 1
The capacity of the medium to carry data is known as:
- speed
- bandwidth ✅
- data rate
- throughput
Why this is correct:
Bandwidth is the maximum capacity of a network medium (such as a cable or wireless channel) to carry data. It represents the theoretical limit of how much information can be transmitted per second, usually measured in bits per second (bps). While speed is often used informally, bandwidth is the precise technical term for the channel’s data-carrying capacity.
Question 2
Which of the following measurements includes any latency encountered during data transmissions?
- throughput ✅
- speed
- bandwidth
- data rate
Why this is correct:
Throughput measures the actual amount of data successfully delivered over a network in a given time, and it accounts for real-world factors like latency, congestion, and packet loss. While bandwidth is the maximum potential, throughput reflects the real performance of a network connection.
Question 3
Which of the following measurements includes any latency encountered during data transmissions?
- bytes per millisecond
- total number of bits
- total number of bytes
- bytes per second
- bits per millisecond
- bits per second ✅
Why this is correct:
Bits per second (bps) is the standard unit used to measure the rate of data transmission. It tells us how many bits of data are transferred every second, reflecting network performance after accounting for delays such as latency. This makes it a precise way to measure the actual data flow across a network.
