Everything you need to know about 10Gbps servers

In today’s digital world, speed is everything. That’s why bandwidth is such an important factor when choosing a server for your website or applications. It determines how fast content is delivered to your visitors during peak hours – so if you get a lot of traffic, you’re going to need a server that can burst up to 10Gbps bandwidth.

But what does this mean exactly, and why does it matter? Let’s dive into the specifics…

What does 10Gbps bandwidth mean?

Bandwidth is simply the amount of data that can be transferred from the server to the user – or in this case, your visitors. So, how fast is 10Gbps?

You're probably used to GB (gigabyte) file sizes, especially when you're dealing with data on a server. To put 10Gb (gigabits) into perspective, you can use the knowledge that 8 gigabits = 1 gigabyte.

So if you've got a 1GB file and a 10Gbps connection, it would take less than 1 second to download or transfer it. Big numbers aside, this sort of speed allows for fast and stable transfers.

Want some more 10Gbps file transfer examples?

What are 10Gbps servers and why are they good?

A 10Gbps bandwidth server is capable of transmitting and receiving data at up to 10 billion bits per second. Now that’s fast-fast! They’re designed to handle more traffic with less congestion, making them ideal for sites and applications with lots of users. Let's dive into a few things you should think about when deciding whether or not to go with a 10Gbps server…

Choosing a 10Gbps server

10Gbps servers have bags of benefits to offer, but as with anything, there are some things to consider when choosing.

What is burst bandwidth?

If you’re looking for a cost-effective solution to handle unexpected traffic spikes, opt for a burst plan. These allow you to essentially exceed your assigned bandwidth limit (like 1Gbps) without breaking the bank. Choosing this feature means your websites or applications run smoothly at all times – so you can focus on what matters instead of spending time worrying about sudden traffic surges.

Private vs public bandwidth

When searching for a server, you may come across two options: private bandwidth and public bandwidth. But what do these mean exactly? In simple terms, private bandwidth refers to the connection between multiple servers in the same LAN or location (psst, we offer this for free on all eligible Bare Metal Servers). On the other hand, public bandwidth is the connection to the internet – a useful feature for high-traffic sites.

TCP vs UDP traffic

You’ll also want to make sure your server can serve the traffic you need – for example  Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP). Essentially, these are just protocols used to transmit data over networks. But what’s the difference between the two?

TCP delivers data from the user to the server, making it more favourable, while UDP is a connectionless protocol – meaning it’s less reliable than TCP.

Sound confusing? Here are some real-life examples:

TCP (recommended):

• File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
• HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
• Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)

UDP:

• Video conferencing
• Voice over IP (VoIP)
• Domain Name System (DNS)

What can you use a 10Gbps server for?

As previously mentioned, 10Gbps servers are pretty damn fast, making them ideal for things like:

• High-traffic websites
• File-sharing projects
• Content Delivery Network (CDN)
• Backup servers
• Failover solutions
• Big data and analytics processing
• Government agencies

Ready to experience fast and consistent performance?

You’re in luck! Our powerful Bare Metal Servers include guaranteed 10Gbps private bandwidth for FREE with eligible models. We also have a 10Gbps public ‘Premium Bandwidth’ add-on, so you can upgrade your public bandwidth as and when you want.

Want to learn more about our 10Gbps servers? Drop us a line!