We are considering a high-end managed service provider. For bandwidth, rather than charging by total # of MB transferred in the month, they charge for a variable "burstable bandwidth" using a 95th percentile rule. This means the bit rates are sampled; the top 5% are discarded, and the next highest rate is the billable amount for the month.
Trouble is that if we get "lucky" and get close to the max. of 100Mbps, our monthly bill will be astronomical.

Our Web pages are roughly 100KB in size and include data from a database. Can anyone estimate how many simultaneous users we could support with a bandwidth of say 1Mbps?? What other variables need to be known to make such an estimate??

Thanks!

At DI where this 95% is used this is what we have found.
We are constantly billed for 300+gig of usage due to our beautiful charts with peaks and valleys like the blue ridge mountains :)

To get to the point if you look at actual transfer about 95-100 gig a month in files/data but the way its transferred with most of it coming at peak times all together our usage hits the 300gig a mo. range. Its not a problem for us, im just letting you know what to expect and how much real data will typically equal out to the 95% rate.

Intresting figures Jag:

Heres how we lined up using the 95th percentile method:

October: Actual Data Transfered: 45 gig | 95th 111 gig
November: Actual Data Transfered: 52 gig | 95th 123 gig
December: Actual Data Transfered: 67 gig | 95th 127 gig


It all depends when people are hitting your site: http://www.cpfc.org has between 30 and 200 users for roughly 9 hours a day, then 20-30 users for the next 10 then only one or two for the remaining hours.

Our pages are small in size and the burstable connection is very very fast

Good thing I read this, as I was planning to take a closer look at DialtoneInternet.

We're doing over 80,000 pageviews a day, with over 6,000 pageviews in the top hours. That would be suicide.

You've got to take a serious look at your bandwidth requirement before jumping into a 95th percentile system. Otherwise you're looking at some large bills. For most people the 95th percentile system of calculating bandwidth will not drastically affect them.

Moe Ladner,

I host with Dialtone Internet I always recommend them, if 95% percentile is not what you want, ask them to give you a contract on average usage, I am sure they will work with you...

DaveC,

> October: Actual Data Transfered: 45 gig | 95th 111 gig
> November: Actual Data Transfered: 52 gig | 95th 123 gig
> December: Actual Data Transfered: 67 gig | 95th 127 gig

*Actual data transferred* is not the AVERAGE DATA TRANSFERRED, average on the percentile system could be 85% percentile,.

I also have servers with Digital Nation, and I have negotiated higher bandwidth allocation and lower rates on additional bandwidth with both companies. For me bandwidth is not an issue, is their security, their rings to avoid netwok attacks, their team, you do not get all of the network downs other companies do get, plus the fact that I can get to the managers quickly on a problem. I have to say that I can not longer get to the managers on Digital Nation after they sold, but DN speed is good.

I am out..

Tony

Romero: I have already come to an agreement with Dialtone in regards to my Bandwidth- they are very flexible and want to retain customers.

Please don't ask me to disclose the details as that is between me and myt account manager.

That's really good to here Dave. I've heard many times that Dialtone is flexible and willing to make arrangements with you. That's the sign of a good company.

Well I had already gotten to setting up a new server with another company until they made me an offer I couldn't refuse- quite literally.

Anyone else thinking of moving I strongly suggest you talk to DI sales before doing so.

I am thinking of moving to them but the 95 percentile was the thing holding me back.

So there is a possibility to get around it and make solid bandwidth agreements?