Measuring bandwidth usage
An overview of different methods
Bandwidth usage measurement can be a confusing topic, with various methods available and each one having its own advantages and limitations. Among the most commonly used methods is the 95th percentile, which is widely used in the industry but also frequently misunderstood. In this article, we will take a closer look at the 95th percentile and compare it to other bandwidth metering methods, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the different options available for measuring bandwidth usage. Whether you’re an IT professional, business owner, or just curious about how bandwidth is measured, this article will give you the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your network’s capacity and performance.
The 95th percentile
The 95th percentile is a way to measure how much bandwidth (internet speed) is being used. It’s different from other methods because it allows for small bursts of extra bandwidth usage without charging extra fees. It’s commonly used in data centers where it is important to manage bandwidth usage.
The way it works is that every 5 minutes, the amount of internet data being used is measured, and this is averaged over 300 seconds. This is done every 5 minutes and stored in a database. At the end of the month, the data is arranged from high to low, and the top 5% of data is ignored. The next highest data point becomes the 95th percentile average. This means that the fastest 5% of your internet usage or the 36 hours of the month with the most usage are not taken into account.
It’s important to note that the 95th percentile is not the same as the average internet usage. The 95th percentile is the amount of usage that is at or below 95% of the time. It’s not a mean, it’s a representation of the level of usage that is exceeded only 5% of the time.
1. CIR
CIR stands for Committed Information Rate. It’s a way for internet service providers (ISPs) to make sure their customers get a certain amount of internet speed, even when the network is busy. CIR guarantees that customers will get a certain amount of bandwidth, even if other users are also using the network. This means that customers can have a more stable internet connection, but they will have to pay extra for this benefit.
2. CIR vs 95th percentile
The 95th percentile method allows businesses to pay for the internet speed they actually use, instead of paying for a set amount of bandwidth. This means that businesses can use more internet speed if they need it, without getting charged extra. With the CIR model, businesses have to pay for a certain amount of internet speed and cannot go over that rate without upgrading their connection.
The 95th percentile method is more flexible and does not require companies to set limits on internet usage. This also saves the internet service providers money on infrastructure and management.
3. Actual usage
The Actual Usage method is a way to measure how much internet is being used. It is similar to the 95th percentile method, but instead of measuring the speed of the internet, it measures the amount of data that is used over a certain period of time. The internet service provider keeps track of how much data is being used and charges the customer based on that amount.
Why the 95th percentile is a better solution
When compared to the Actual Usage method, the 95th percentile is more stable and predictable for businesses. It provides guaranteed minimum bandwidth commitments, which allows companies to better plan for their internet usage. With Actual Usage, businesses that have high internet usage one month may be charged more than those with consistent usage, which can be difficult to budget for.
The 95th percentile aims to find a balance between cost, scalability, and predictability for both the internet service provider and the customer. However, it’s important to note that no method is perfect. The 95th percentile can be more volatile than the Committed Information Rate in months with high internet usage, and monthly bills may vary greatly. Additionally, businesses may end up paying for unused internet capacity.
Companies with multiple internet connections (multi-homed) and service providers have to make sure to keep their internet usage below the level committed to each of their ISPs in order to avoid extra charges. 95th percentile is one of the most popular billing methods used by ISPs today.
The 95th percentile is one of the most common billing methods used by ISPs. However, some carriers, such as Cogent, use a method called the 98th percentile, which is less favorable to the customer as it charges for a higher percentage of the highest usage. If you found this post insightful and interesting, you may also like my post about how the internet really works.
