How is network bandwidth typically measured?

Network bandwidth is primarily measured in bits per second (bps), which provides a foundational understanding of the speed at which data can be transmitted over a network. This unit is essential for defining network capacity and performance, reflecting the number of bits that can be communicated in one second.

While other units like Mbps (megabits per second), Kbps (kilobits per second), and Gbps (gigabits per second) are also commonly used in practice, they represent larger or smaller quantities of data, derived from the basic bit measurement. For instance, 1 Mbps is equivalent to 1,000,000 bits per second, illustrating the versatility of bps as the most basic unit of measurement from which others are derived. Understanding this hierarchy helps in interpreting network speeds and determining the capabilities of different network infrastructures effectively.