A well-designed Ethernet network is one of those elements of a company's infrastructure that simply has to work – stably, quickly, and without surprises. However, before choosing switches, cabling, and connection bandwidth, it's worth clarifying a few key concepts. This will help you avoid unnecessary costs while planning a network that can easily handle your team's workload.
In this article, you'll review the most important Ethernet standards, understand the difference between Mbit/s and MB/s, and see where typical file copy speeds in your company come from. Finally, you'll receive a simple decision tree that will help you choose the right bandwidth and determine whether your current infrastructure requires modernization. This practical guide will help you Ethernet network in the company will become a conscious, well-thought-out investment, not just another technical item on your shopping list.
What Ethernet Throughput Is Really All About
When we talk about Ethernet throughput, we are actually describing the maximum amount of data that a network can transmit in one secondThis is a key parameter that influences how quickly employees download files from the server, how efficiently backups are performed, and how smoothly the ERP system operates. In a company's reality, the bandwidth of the internal network can be even more important than the internet speed provided by the provider, as most daily communication between computers takes place via cable.
It is worth distinguishing between two worlds: external internet and LAN in the officeThe operator may provide 1 Gbit/s to the building, but if there's an old 100 Mbit/s switch between the computer and the server, the actual file transfer speed will drop significantly. Network throughput is not just one parameter, but chain of elementsthat must work together on the same level: network cards, cabling, switches, sockets, and even the way the plugs are made.
Why is this so important? Because all bottlenecks appear where the weakest element limits the entire lineEven if most devices support 1 Gbps, one old 10/100 Mbps segment can slow down an entire office at the most critical moment. Therefore, when planning bandwidth, we look not only at the numbers in the catalog, but above all at consistency of the entire infrastructure, which is designed to operate stably in everyday company conditions.
Once you understand what bandwidth is and how it impacts your team's work, it's easier to choose the right standards—from Fast Ethernet, through 1 Gbps, to newer 2.5G or 10G solutions, if they're truly necessary. In the following sections, we'll walk through these values step by step.
How the Mbit/s to MB/s converter works – practical numbers for the business owner
In everyday business work, you most often see two different units of speed: Mbit/s (megabits per second) and MB/s (megabytes per second). Although they look similar, they mean something different. This simple nuance often leads to misunderstandings, especially when your operator's invoice says 1 Gbps, but the system shows, for example, 110 MB/s when copying files. This isn't an error – it's a normal result.
There is one key rule: 8 bits = 1 byte.
This means that any bandwidth given in megabits must be divided by eight to obtain the actual copy speed in megabytes.
For company standards it looks like this:
• 100 Mbit/s → approx. 12.5 MB/s
(typical speed when the infrastructure has Fast Ethernet elements)• 1 Gbit/s → approx. 125 MB/s
(in practice, 90-115 MB/s is a very good result)• 2.5G → approx. 312 MB/s
(often achieved with modern NAS and SSD drives)• 10G → approx. 1250 MB/s (1.25 GB/s)
(mainly used in graphic studios, laboratories, server rooms)
It is worth emphasizing that the above numbers are theoreticalEach transfer burdens the network with additional data—protocols, acknowledgments, queues, delays. Therefore, real-world copy speeds on Gigabit Ethernet don't reach the full 125 MB/s, and results in the range of 100–115 MB/s are perfectly acceptable.
To simplify the assessment of the situation in your company, below is a summary of the most common standards and what can realistically be achieved in everyday work.
| Ethernet Standard | Max theoretical speed (MB/s) | Typical real range | Applications in the company |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Mbps | approx. 12.5 MB/s | 8–11 MB/s | older printers, terminals, simple IoT devices |
| 1 Gbps | approx. 125 MB/s | 90–115 MB/s | office computer, file server, nightly backups |
| 2.5G | approx. 312 MB/s | 250–300 MB/s | modern NAS, large graphic and video files |
| 10G | approx. 1250 MB/s | 900–1200 MB/s | production environments, rendering, advanced server rooms |
Understanding the Mbps to MBps conversion ratio is fundamental. This allows you to confidently assess whether your network is performing well or if it's being bottlenecked by an older infrastructure component. If you want to ensure your business is optimally configured, we can help you sort it out with our IT support.
Fast Ethernet, Gigabit, 2.5G and 10G – what are the differences between Ethernet networks and when do they make sense?
Ethernet standards differ primarily maximum throughput, and therefore, the actual speed of operation within the company network. Although the values may seem like technical numbers from a catalog, each of them has very specific applications. A well-chosen standard can help avoid both slowdowns and unnecessary expenses.
Fast Ethernet (100 Mbit/s)
This is an older standard that is still found in older switches, printers, and simple terminals. It offers approximately 8–11 MB/s real transfer, which in everyday work is sufficient only where network traffic is minimal.
When it makes sense: devices not exposed to high traffic – printers, simple scanners, older terminals, single IP cameras.
When not: office workstations, file server, intensive work on documents – will be a bottleneck.
Gigabit Ethernet (1 Gbps)
The current, practical standard in small and medium-sized businesses. It truly allows 90–115 MB/s, which is completely sufficient for office work, ERP systems, video conferencing, and even working on files from the server.
When it makes sense: most SME companies, links between computers and server/NAS, nightly backups, standard switches in the office.
Why it's worth it: offers a good balance between performance and cost and even works with Cat5e cabling.
2.5G Ethernet
A growing trend in modern offices. Offers approx. 250–300 MB/s real transfer speeds, significantly speeding up work with larger files. Works on many Cat5e installations without replacing the entire cabling.
When it makes sense: cooperation with a fast NAS (SSD), large graphic files, CAD designs, several people working on the server at the same time.
Plus: often a good "in-between" choice when Gigabit starts to become insufficient, but 10G is too much.
10G Ethernet (10 Gbps)
The professional standard for environments requiring extremely fast transfers. 900–1200 MB/s.
When it makes sense: graphic and video studios, rendering, intensive backup processes, server rooms, working on huge files or many simultaneous users.
When not: typical office – the cost of equipment and cabling is much higher than the benefits.
For most companies, the best choice remains Gigabit Ethernet, and the decision for 2.5G or 10G only makes sense when there is actually a large amount of data or the work on shared files is intensive. If you are not sure which standard will be optimal for your office - contact us and our experts will IT support for companies they will advise you on the best solution.
What really limits speed in a wired Ethernet network?
Even if the network is built to 1 Gbps or 2.5G standards, the actual transfer speed may be lower. This is due to the bandwidth chain, and each of its elements can become a bottleneck. Here are the most common reasons that actually limit the speed of a corporate Ethernet network.
1. Wiring and connectors
Cable is essential. If there is old wiring in the wall Cat5, poorly wired plugs or severely bent cables, the network will automatically reduce the speed to a lower standard - often to 100 Mbps, even if the rest of the hardware supports 1 Gbit/s.
The most common limitations: poor contacts, too long sections, cables squeezed through doors or too tightly clamped in strips.
2. Network equipment: switch, router, cards
The entire line runs as fast as its slowest element.
• older switches with 10/100 ports,
• network cards in computers operating at 100 Mbit/s,
• devices that reduce throughput due to overheating.
Even one such component can slow down all devices connected to the same network segment.
3. Computer and server disks
The network may be fast, but if files are written or read from classic HDDthat cannot keep up with the transfer, the speed will drop regardless of the Ethernet standard.
Example: a fast NAS with SSDs often shows significantly higher speeds than an older server with a disk HDD.
4. Software and protocols
Each communication protocol (SMB, TCP) imposes additional data that reduces the maximum effective transfer rate. Background processes may also be running that slow down file operations:
• antivirus scanning every transfer,
• backup running during business hours,
• processor and memory-intensive applications.
Understanding these relationships helps you more quickly diagnose where the problem actually lies. Often, it's not network bandwidth, but a single weak link. the entire infrastructure.
Why are real speeds lower than theoretical? (Ethernet explanation + case)
As mentioned earlier, 8 bits equals 1 byte, so with a 1 Gbit/s network, the theoretical maximum is about 125 MB/s. In practice, however, companies usually see 90–115 MB/s and this is a perfectly valid result. The difference between theory and reality results from several natural phenomena that occur with every data transfer.
The main reasons for speed drops from the maximum
1. Network protocol overhead
TCP/IP, SMB, and additional acknowledgments, retransmissions, and metadata reduce the actual transfer rate. The network must exchange control packets, so some bandwidth is never available for "real data." This is normal behavior in any corporate network.
2. Disk performance on both sides
Even a fast network won't help if you save files on a hard drive. HDD or the server is running indexing, backup, or antivirus software in parallel. The disk then becomes the bottleneck, limiting copy speed to what it can handle.
3. Device load and queues in the network
A router, switch, or NAS will perform slower under heavy load (e.g., multiple simultaneous users). Even in a gigabit network, packet queues occur, which reduce the actual transfer speed.
4. Minor delays on every section
Delays resulting from signal conversion, cable length, and buffering add up. Each step is fast, but when aggregated, they impact the result you see when copying large files.
Real situation from the office
The company is modernizing its network to the standard Gigabit EthernetAfter replacing the switches and adjusting the cabling, the owner tests copying a large file to the server. The result: approx. 110 MB/s.
There is concern that the network is "not operating at full speed."
After a short analysis, it turns out that:
• the network is working properly,
• the transfer is consistent with the real capabilities of Gigabit Ethernet,
• the only limitation is the HDD disk in the server, which will not write data faster than ~110–120 MB/s.
Application? The network is working properly, and a result of around 100 MB/s is an absolute normTo achieve higher speeds, it would be necessary to replace not the network, but the disks or the entire server.
How to choose the right Ethernet bandwidth for your business – a simple decision-making process
Choosing Ethernet bandwidth doesn't have to be complicated. In most cases, a few logical steps are sufficient to assess your company's current needs and predict whether your network will be able to handle growth in the coming years. Below, you'll find a simple and practical decision-making process.
1. Count all network devices
Consider not only computers but also printers, NAS, terminals, IoT devices, cameras, and distribution points. The more active devices, the greater the need for stable bandwidth.
2. Determine the nature of the work on the files
Small office documents are one thing, but large video files, graphics, technical projects, or multiple people working on a file server present entirely different requirements. The type of data determines whether Gigabit is sufficient or whether 2.5G is worth considering.
3. Check current hardware and ports
Connecting a modern switch to a computer with a 100 Mbps port will invariably slow down performance. It's worth checking the maximum speed supported by each component: network cards, switches, routers, and power outlets.
4. Assess the quality and category of the cabling
Cat5e supports Gigabit, but for 2.5G and above, it's worth checking the condition of the entire installation. Overly long runs, sharp bends, or poor connectors can reduce speeds regardless of the equipment you buy.
5. Include your company's 2-3 year development plans
New workstations, migration to an ERP system, larger files in the design department or warehouse expansion – each of these changes means a greater load on the network.
6. Establish a budget and priorities for modernization
Sometimes the best results come from replacing the switch with a gigabit model, other times by improving cabling or upgrading the server. Only after analyzing the above steps can you see where the investment will make the biggest difference.
Well-balanced bandwidth helps avoid slowdowns and unnecessary costs while giving your business room to grow. If you want to ensure your infrastructure is future-proof for your team's needs, we can help you create a network modernization plan tailored to your office.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ethernet
This may be sufficient for printers, simple terminals, and individual devices, but not for office computers. In practice, 100 Mbps often causes slowdowns, especially when working with files or ERP systems. Therefore, Gigabit Ethernet is recommended as the standard for workstations.
No. Higher bandwidths only make sense if your company works with large files (graphics, CAD, video) or uses fast NAS and multiple simultaneous sessions. For most offices, Gigabit is perfectly sufficient.
Yes, if devices are connected on a single segment. The older component will automatically throttle the bandwidth, slowing down the entire transfer to the slowest port. Therefore, hardware consistency across the LAN is crucial.
The easiest way is to compare the results of copying a file locally and over the network. If the local transfer rate is much higher, the limiting factor may be the cabling or switch. If both values are low, the bottleneck most likely lies with the disk or computer/server load.
Yes, we can help you select bandwidth, plan cabling, identify components for modernization, and prepare a complete, stable wired infrastructure tailored to the specific needs of your office.
We offer IT services for companies in Warsaw, Ożarów Mazowiecki, Błonie, Stare Babice, Grodzisk Mazowiecki, and Pruszków, among others. We design, modernize, and implement comprehensive networks for businesses.
An Ethernet network is the foundation of stable operation in every office. However, it's not just its physical design that's crucial, but above all, the proper selection of bandwidth and ensuring that no single infrastructure element becomes a bottleneck. Gigabit Ethernet remains the gold standard for most companies, and higher speeds—such as 2.5G or 10G—make sense primarily in environments where large files are worked on daily or when multiple people access a file server simultaneously.
Knowing the difference between Mbps and MBps, understanding the impact of cabling, drives, and protocols on real-world transfers, and being aware of common limitations makes it easier to plan a network upgrade or evaluation. This, in turn, protects against overpaying for solutions your company won't use anyway.
If you are faced with the decision to build or update Ethernet networks in the company, we can help you analyze your needs and prepare a practical action plan that will ensure rapid and stable operation of the infrastructure.
