Hello Everyone,

Would any of you be able to explain the difference between: Bandwidth - Monthly Transfer - Data Transfer?

I am not sure whether web page visits and software downloads are lumped into the same category of transfers. Also how are transfers measured by a hosting company.

A brief summary would be appreciated.

I don't believe there is a difference - I'm under the impression that bandwidth refers to the amount of data transfer - and data transfer refers to bandwidth usage.

HOWEVER a possible distinction being applied is that bandiwdth allowance is often a two-way process - ie, bandwidth for incoming data as well as outgoing.

So if you have a plan allowing for 5 gigabytes/month, and you upload 2.5 gigs of files, and have 2.5 gigs of traffic, then your 5 gig allowance is used up! If "data transfer allowance" refers only to outgoing bandwidth - ie, the size of data on your site accessed - then only usuage by your site visitors is counted.

I've not actually seen any hard and fast rules on the terminology, though - after all, if you FTP files to your site, you are engaging in data transfer, and using bandidth! It's an issue often worth checking with hosts.

I have to agree that there is no set definition for these terms when it comes to hosting. Each host defines these with their own definitions and I think it does vary from host to host. Obviously the best way is to ask the prospective host how they define these.

Generally though, whatever traffic you have going or coming to your website is counted agaisnt "these terms" because whenever you are using the transit lines to the site (one way or the other) is is costing $ so you are going to get charged for it. Now, you might find a host which doesn't count some things or some hosts which count all and that is where you get different definitions among the hosts...

Thanks for the information fellas...

The most common way to explain the difference between bandwidth and transfer (and yes there is a difference), is to think of like like a garden hose.

Bandwidth = the size/width of the hose.
Transfer = how much water goes through the hose.

The bigger the hose, the bigger the bandwidth.
The more you turn on the tap, the more transfer.

Who would be more likely to want to turn the tap on more? I am guessing those with large amounts of FTP file data!

Generally speaking it's forums. In our experience they are our largest transfer users. There's a few sites with video, and some music based sites that come in after that.

We removed anonymous ftp access a long time ago so that's never really been much of a concern.

I have about completed an ebook with screenshots, flowcharts which is 3.5Mb in size. Does this mean for any large download, that is in demand, require lots of bandwidth just because of its file size?

I have often wondered how freeware sites manage with their downloads. You often hear these webmasters mentioning bandwidth problems.

Rod

If a large amount of people download it at once then it will affect bandwidth as well as transfer. If the amount of people downloading it is spread over a period of time, then the issue will be one of transfer only.

3.5 meg isn't that large a download given the transfer on offer from most web hosts these days. We have software developers who have downloads in the same area of size. Unless you advertise fairly heavily, or your e-book is extremely popular you probably won't run into many problems.

Freeware sites are always going to be large consumers of data transfer due to their high amounts of stored software, and the simple fact that a lot of people like free software

Now I understand the difference between bandwidth and transfer. Thank you for your time...