Higher Bandwidth Doesn't Always Mean Faster Speeds
It is a common misconception that higher bandwidth always translates to faster data transfer. However, on any given link, data is sent at the maximum rate allowed by the bandwidth when transmission occurs. Lower observed "speed" often results from factors such as intermittent data flow, network congestion, or inefficiencies, leading to an average rate lower than the maximum capacity.
For example, if a link has an observed average data transfer rate of 100 Mbps on a Gigabit Ethernet interface, it essentially indicates that data was transmitted only 1/10th of the time during measurement. On a 2 Gbps link, achieving the same 100 Mbps average rate simply means data transmission occurred for only 1/20th of the time. This highlights that increasing bandwidth does not inherently increase the effective speed unless other factors are addressed.
Understanding these distinctions is essential for optimizing network performance and assessing data transfer capabilities. Throughput, another related concept, measures the actual usable data transmitted over a network and provides further insight into real-world performance.
For more information, take a look at:
Links
https://networklessons.com/cisco/ccnp-tshoot/cisco-ios-show-interface-explained
https://networklessons.com/cisco/ccna-routing-switching-icnd1-100-105/introduction-to-ethernet