| Bandwidth explained: | | | | Sun, Microsoft etc. not hosted there? In fact, why |
| Bandwidth is the amount of data transfer that you | | | | isn't everyone hosted there? For that matter, if |
| are allowed to have for a hosting package i.e. Let's | | | | unlimited is a standard feature then why don't all the |
| say you have a web page that is 48KB in size, now | | | | hosts offer it? Is it because it is expensive and |
| each time a user opens your site and goes to that | | | | requires better hardware? No, it's because some |
| page S/he downloads 48 KB of information on to | | | | hosts are honest and don't give in to such gimmicks. |
| their computer. If a 100 users view that page one | | | | Statistically speaking, a T1 Internet connection (huge |
| time each then there has been a total of 4800 KB of | | | | broadband) equals approximately 500GB per month |
| data transferred from the server on which your files | | | | and costs around $1200 per month. So how can it be |
| are stored for the computer of users. | | | | possible to get the same or unlimited for $30 a |
| Size of web Page: 48 KB | | | | month? |
| Number of users who viewed the web page: 100 | | | | There are a lot of ways you can be duped by these |
| Total amount of data transferred: 48KB * 100 = | | | | ' unlimited' hosts; here are just a few of them: |
| 4800 KB | | | | The secret of 'unlimited' is actually buried in the |
| Bandwidth is the term that is used to denote the | | | | Terms of Service by the host. Do not be surprised |
| amount of data that has been transferred from your | | | | to find that unlimited = 15 GB. |
| web space. | | | | The host may restrict the sort of files that you can |
| The amount of bandwidth that you require while | | | | host on their server. Generally image galleries and |
| choosing a host depends on two factors: | | | | audio/video files attract a lot more downloads |
| > The size of your site. | | | | thereby resulting in higher bandwidth consumption. So |
| > The popularity of your site. | | | | if there are no files of this type, your site won't |
| If your site is not very huge and you do not have | | | | really require a lot of bandwidth. |
| any audio/video downloads and it's not very popular | | | | Some newly opened hosts use it as a scam. They |
| i.e. not a lot of people visit your site then you do not | | | | take your money and after a few months when |
| really require a lot of bandwidth, on a average a web | | | | their server starts to become slow or reaches its |
| site uses up only 500 MB of bandwidth per month. Or | | | | limit, they run... with your money! |
| if your site is small but extremely popular then you | | | | Some hosts outline in their Terms of Service that |
| might have to go for a web hosting package that | | | | you can have unlimited bandwidth as long as you |
| offers high bandwidth. | | | | qualify for it. i.e. Your site must use less then, let's |
| On the other hand if your web site is huge, providing | | | | say 2 GB of bandwidth in order to qualify for the |
| audio/video downloads, as well as being very popular | | | | unlimited bandwidth feature. As soon as your site |
| then you would certainly require a huge amount of | | | | goes over that limit they either start charging you |
| bandwidth. Let's say you have a video file that is 150 | | | | for it or cut off your downloads altogether. |
| MB in size and in a single day a 100 visitors download | | | | In life it's a universal truth that you always get what |
| the file. This means that 15 GB of bandwidth will have | | | | you pay for, and it's no different for web hosting. |
| been used. If you multiply that by 30 days for the | | | | If a host is using a cheap advertising gimmick like |
| month it comes to 450 GB. | | | | 'unlimited' bandwidth they maybe lying about a few |
| The unlimited bandwidth controversy | | | | other things too. Their 'dedicated' support team could |
| For some time now a lot of hosting companies are | | | | be a single person (the hoster itself in most cases) |
| supposedly providing "unlimited bandwidth" for their | | | | sitting in front of a computer and taking your calls. |
| web hosting packages. | | | | Do you really want unlimited bandwidth hosting from |
| It's absolutely true, you can have unlimited bandwidth. | | | | hosts that have very limited resources at their |
| However, you will need an unlimited amount of | | | | disposal? Or, do you want to go for a host that has |
| money by your side! Jokes apart, if you ever come | | | | spent thousands of dollars on setting up a good |
| across such a host it would be best to turn around | | | | network infrastructure, servers, and a highly qualified |
| and run back the way you came from. | | | | and dedicated support team? The choice ultimately is |
| Just think, if you can get unlimited bandwidth for | | | | yours and yours alone. |
| $25-30 a month then why aren't big companies like | | | | |