1.3 Estimating Network Traffic

If we already have a network in existence, there are a large number of tools we can use to determine network traffic. Once this is done, we can use the results obtained from traffic monitoring to predict the effect of a network expansion or use such information to estimate the traffic on a similar type network that is anticipated to be established. However, what can you do to estimate traffic if your organization plans to install its first local area network or a network in which the user community will significantly differ from the users of an existing corporate network? When those situations occur, you have no baseline from which you can project network traffic ” a situation that can result in a significant degree of a trial-and-error unless you have a reasonable mechanism to follow to estimate network traffic.

Chapter 3 focuses on methods you can use to estimate inter- and intra-network traffic. After discussing the need for developing a realistic traffic measurement technique, this chapter focuses on the use of a traffic estimation worksheet that can facilitate the network traffic estimation process. This is followed by examples of the use of the worksheet to estimate the traffic load that will be placed on a network. In addition, this chapter examines how you can use the results obtained from the use of a traffic estimation worksheet to predict future network traffic growth, as well as how to analyze the potential effect of such growth on your existing or planned LAN. Once the traffic estimation process has been reviewed, it is used to illustrate how you can use this data to subdivide a network via the use of a local bridge or router to improve network performance. Thus, this chapter provides information concerning the traffic estimation process as well as illustrates its use to improve the performance level of a network.