[Web4lib] public network bandwidth usage

[Andrew]

Craig,

Yes. We've gone from a single T-1 to a pair of T-1s to a 10Mbps fiber 
connection in just the past couple of years. Currently we're using 
between 40 - 60% of that capacity with peaks up to 70%. This pipe 
handles traffic for both our public and staff networks at two locations. 
We have about 100 computers between the two networks with the majority 
being on the public network. We also provide public wireless access at 
both locations and average around 350 users a month on that network. We 
also have our Township's web, mail and gis mapping servers on the same 
connection.

I've said for years that no matter how much you upgrade, patron usage of 
your computers will eventually consume whatever bandwidth you provide. 
When you don't have the capacity, they'll find the experience of 
streaming audio and video frustrating so they won't bother. Same for 
downloading large files, etc. But as your network capacity increases to 
accommodate those uses, more and more users will take advantage of that 
bandwidth to use those services until it's time for another upgrade.

Andrew Mutch
Library Systems Technician
Waterford Township Public Library
Waterford, MI


GINTHER, Craig wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> We've recently seen a huge increase in bandwidth usage on our public network, and are trying to determine whether this is similar to what other large public libraries are experiencing.  Public PCs (approx 400 in total) in all of our branches share a 100Mbps pipe, but we only pay for a 10 meg service with bursting capabilities as required (for a cost).  
>
> As of March 2006, we were averaging 1.5 Megs usage, with spikes to 4 Megs, but we're now looking at traffic during business hours regularly hits 30 Mbps inbound and peaks past 40 Mbps.  Not surprisingly, the most common destination appears to be various Akamai.net sites, with video and image intensive sites such as Facebook and YouTube also appearing as heavy users. Most of the traffic is HTTP (TCP 80), followed at a distance by HTTPS (TCP 443) with a small amount of instant messaging an other protocols.
>
> Are others seeing similar increases?  If so, how many public PCs do you have (for the sake of comparison)?
>
>
> Craig Ginther
> Acting Manager, Virtual Library Services
> Ottawa Public Library/Bibliothèque publique d'Ottawa
> 101 Centrepointe Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K2G 5K7
> Phone: 613-580-2424 x41588
> Craig.Ginther at BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca
> http://www.BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca
>
>
>
>
>
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