Chapter 3.

Bandwidth and Processing Power

Of the two resources discussed in this chapter, one (bandwidth) is often hard for the new system

administrator to understand, while the other (processing power) is usually a much easier concept to

grasp.

Additionally, it may seem that these two resources are not that closely related   why group them

together?

The reason for addressing both resources together is that these resources are based on the hardware

that tie directly into a computer's ability to move and process data. As such, their relationship is often

interrelated.

3.1. Bandwidth

At its most basic, bandwidth is the capacity for data transfer   in other words, how much data can be

moved from one point to another in a given amount of time. Having point to point data communication

implies two things:

A set of electrical conductors used to make low level communication possible

A protocol to facilitate the efficient and reliable communication of data

There are two types of system components that meet these requirements:

Buses

Datapaths

The following sections explore each in more detail.

3.1.1. Buses

As stated above, buses enable point to point communication and use some sort of protocol to ensure

that all communication takes place in a controlled manner. However, buses have other distinguishing

features:

Standardized electrical characteristics (such as the number of conductors, voltage levels, signaling

speeds, etc.)

Standardized mechanical characteristics (such as the type of connector, card size, physical layout,

etc.)

Standardized protocol

The word "standardized" is important because buses are the primary way in which different system

components are connected together.

In many cases, buses allow the interconnection of hardware that is made by multiple manufacturers;

without standardization, this would not be possible. However, even in situations where a bus is pro 

prietary to one manufacturer, standardization is important because it allows that manufacturer to more

easily implement different components by using a common interface   the bus itself.