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Throughput

pc

Throughput is the rate at which a computer system processes data.

expanded

Throughput refers to how much data a computer system can process within a given time period, typically measured in bits per second (bps). It is a critical performance measure in computer networking and data processing, affecting overall system efficiency. Higher throughput means greater data handling capacity, which is essential for applications requiring constant data flow, such as streaming services and cloud computing.

examples

A personal computer achieving 1 Gbps throughput during network file transfers.

Commonly measured when transferring large files over a Gigabit Ethernet network in office setups or home networks with high data demands.

A server achieving 10 Gbps throughput during data center backplane communication.

Critical for enterprise data centers where large datasets are continuously processed and exchanged across network infrastructure with 10 Gigabit Ethernet switches.

related terms

Latency
Latency is the delay before a transfer of data begins following an instruction for its transfer.
Capacity
The maximum amount that a system or component can contain or handle.
Bottleneck
A bottleneck is a limiting factor in a computer system that reduces overall performance.
Processor
A processor is the central unit in a computer responsible for executing instructions from programs.
Timing
Timing refers to the synchronization of tasks or processes in a computing system based on clock cycles.