Server offers usually list two network figures. They answer different questions, and confusing them is a common way to buy the wrong plan.
Port speed: how fast
Port speed, such as 1 Gbps or 10 Gbps, is the maximum rate at which data can flow between the server and the network at any moment. It matters for:
- Peaks: many users downloading at once, a sudden traffic spike.
- Large transfers: backups, video, software downloads, database replication.
- Latency-sensitive services, where a saturated link adds delay.
Monthly traffic: how much
Traffic allowance, such as 30 TB per month, is the total amount of data that can be transferred over a billing period. It matters for steady, high-volume services: media delivery, file distribution, busy APIs.
How they relate
A 1 Gbps port running flat out for a whole month would move roughly 330 TB. Most services never come close; they need the speed for short peaks and use a small fraction of the theoretical total. That is why a plan can sensibly pair a fast port with a modest monthly allowance.
"Unmetered" usually means traffic is not counted against an allowance, but the port speed still limits how much can flow. Read the terms for fair-use conditions.
Estimating what you need
- Look at your current monthly outbound transfer in your provider's or server's statistics.
- Estimate from content: average page or response size multiplied by requests per month, plus downloads, backups and replication.
- Add growth and a margin.
- For the port, look at your peak rate, not your average.
Inbound and outbound
Many providers count only outbound traffic, or count both differently. Check how traffic is measured and what happens if you exceed the allowance: throttling, overage charges or an upgrade.
How IDX helps
IDX VPS Cloud plans list both figures, for example up to 10 Gbps network and 30 TB of traffic per month. On dedicated servers, you choose a 1, 2, 3, 5 or 10 Gbps port and your monthly traffic, and the Egypt Servers calculator lets you set your internet connectivity in Mbps.
IDX on digital infrastructure
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