1. What is Bandwidth Management?
Bandwidth management involves optimizing the use of network bandwidth to ensure efficient data transfer and avoid congestion.
2. Why is Bandwidth Management Important?
- Ensures critical applications get priority.
- Prevents network slowdowns and bottlenecks.
- Enhances user experience.
- Reduces costs by optimizing resource usage.
3. Key Bandwidth Management Techniques
| Technique | Description |
|---|---|
| Traffic Shaping | Controls the flow of data by delaying packets to meet a desired traffic profile. |
| Rate Limiting | Caps the data transfer rate for specific users or applications. |
| QoS (Quality of Service) | Prioritizes traffic based on importance (e.g., VoIP over file downloads). |
| Bandwidth Allocation | Reserves specific bandwidth for critical tasks or users. |
| Compression | Reduces data size to save bandwidth (e.g., file compression). |
| Caching | Stores frequently accessed data locally to reduce bandwidth usage. |
| Content Delivery Networks (CDN) | Uses distributed servers to deliver content faster and reduce bandwidth strain. |
| Load Balancing | Distributes network traffic evenly across servers or links. |
4. Traffic Prioritization in Bandwidth Management
- High Priority Traffic: Voice over IP (VoIP), video conferencing, real-time applications.
- Medium Priority Traffic: Emails, database queries.
- Low Priority Traffic: File downloads, large backups, streaming services.
5. Common Tools for Bandwidth Management
| Tool | Use Case |
|---|---|
| pfSense | Open-source firewall and traffic shaping. |
| NetLimiter | Bandwidth limiting for applications. |
| Wireshark | Monitors and analyzes network traffic. |
| SolarWinds NTA | Network traffic analyzer. |
| Cisco QoS Tools | Implements quality of service policies. |
6. Bandwidth Optimization Strategies
- Monitor Usage: Use tools to analyze bandwidth usage.
- Identify Bottlenecks: Detect and fix slow links or devices.
- Upgrade Hardware: Use high-capacity routers and switches.
- Educate Users: Promote responsible bandwidth usage.
- Block Unnecessary Traffic: Restrict access to non-essential services like social media.
7. Challenges in Bandwidth Management
- Dynamic Traffic Patterns: Usage spikes can be hard to predict.
- Encrypted Traffic: Makes it difficult to analyze and prioritize.
- Latency Issues: Delays in high-priority traffic affect performance.
- Cost Constraints: Upgrading infrastructure can be expensive.
8. Important Terms to Remember
- Bandwidth: The maximum data transfer rate of a network.
- Latency: Delay in data transfer.
- Packet Loss: Data packets fail to reach their destination.
- Throughput: Actual amount of data successfully transferred.
9. Real-World Examples of Bandwidth Management
- Corporate Networks: Allocate bandwidth to business-critical apps like CRM.
- ISPs (Internet Service Providers): Use rate limiting for fair usage.
- Streaming Platforms: Implement caching to reduce server loads.
10. Last-Minute Tips
- Focus on the key techniques: Traffic Shaping, QoS, and Caching.
- Understand tools like pfSense and SolarWinds NTA.
- Memorize traffic prioritization levels.
- Remember the benefits: better performance, cost efficiency, improved user experience.
MCQ
Chapter 1: Basics of Bandwidth & Congestion (8 MCQs)
Q1. In a computer network, “bandwidth” generally refers to:
a) Size of hard disk
b) Maximum data transfer capacity of a link per unit time
c) Number of users connected
d) Processing speed of CPU
Answer: b) Maximum data transfer capacity of a link per unit time
Explanation: Bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be transmitted over a link. 👉 (HIGHLY IMPORTANT)
Q2. The MAIN purpose of bandwidth management is to:
a) Increase the number of printers
b) Control and optimise use of available network bandwidth
c) Reduce server RAM usage
d) Encrypt all network traffic
Answer: b) Control and optimise use of available network bandwidth
Explanation: Bandwidth management ensures fair and efficient utilisation of limited bandwidth.
Q3. Network congestion occurs primarily when:
a) Bandwidth is much more than demand
b) Bandwidth is less than the traffic load
c) Only one user is online
d) Servers are turned off at night
Answer: b) Bandwidth is less than the traffic load
Explanation: When too many packets compete for limited capacity, congestion occurs.
Q4. Which of the following is NOT a direct objective of bandwidth management?
a) Prioritising critical applications
b) Reducing unnecessary traffic
c) Guaranteeing QoS for important flows
d) Deciding interest rates for customers
Answer: d) Deciding interest rates for customers
Explanation: Bandwidth management is a network function, not a business policy decision.
Q5. In banking networks, bandwidth management is especially important because:
a) Banks never use the internet
b) Critical payment transactions share the same network with non-critical traffic
c) Branches communicate only via post
d) Bandwidth is unlimited and free
Answer: b) Critical payment transactions share the same network with non-critical traffic
Explanation: Management ensures payments, CBS, UPI, etc. are not affected by bulk/irrelevant traffic. 👉 (HIGHLY IMPORTANT)
Q6. “Link utilisation” in bandwidth management means:
a) CPU usage on router
b) Percentage of available bandwidth actually in use
c) Free disk space on server
d) Number of LAN ports in a switch
Answer: b) Percentage of available bandwidth actually in use
Explanation: It measures how heavily a link is being used.
Q7. A common symptom of poor bandwidth management in a bank branch is:
a) Faster customer service
b) Frequent timeouts in CBS / net banking transactions
c) Higher interest on deposits
d) More ATMs working
Answer: b) Frequent timeouts in CBS / net banking transactions
Explanation: Congestion and poor control cause delays and failures in online transactions.
Q8. Bandwidth management is MOST closely related to which broader concept?
a) Office interior designing
b) Quality of Service (QoS)
c) Tax audit
d) Physical security
Answer: b) Quality of Service (QoS)
Explanation: Bandwidth management is a key part of achieving QoS. 👉 (HIGHLY IMPORTANT)
Chapter 2: Key Bandwidth Management Techniques (10 MCQs)
Q9. “Traffic shaping” as a bandwidth management technique is used to:
a) Randomly drop packets
b) Delay packets to make them conform to a specified rate
c) Encrypt traffic automatically
d) Change IP addresses of packets
Answer: b) Delay packets to make them conform to a specified rate
Explanation: Shaping smooths bursts by buffering and sending at a controlled rate. 👉 (HIGHLY IMPORTANT)
Q10. “Traffic policing” differs from shaping mainly because policing:
a) Always compresses packets
b) Drops or remarks packets that exceed the allowed rate, without buffering
c) Stores excess traffic for later use
d) Works only on wireless networks
Answer: b) Drops or remarks packets that exceed the allowed rate, without buffering
Explanation: Policing enforces rate limits more strictly, leading to packet drops.
Q11. Which algorithm is commonly used for traffic shaping and rate control?
a) Dijkstra’s algorithm
b) Leaky bucket / token bucket
c) Bubble sort
d) Huffman coding
Answer: b) Leaky bucket / token bucket
Explanation: These algorithms control output rate and smooth traffic bursts.
Q12. Rate limiting in bandwidth management means:
a) Completely blocking a user
b) Restricting maximum bandwidth available to a user or application
c) Encrypting traffic at a higher rate
d) Generating test traffic
Answer: b) Restricting maximum bandwidth available to a user or application
Explanation: Rate limiting prevents single users/apps from hogging bandwidth.
Q13. Application-aware bandwidth management typically relies on:
a) Identifying traffic based on application signatures or ports
b) Only counting packets
c) Changing MAC addresses
d) Disabling routing
Answer: a) Identifying traffic based on application signatures or ports
Explanation: Deep packet inspection and port numbers help classify application traffic.
Q14. Which technique helps reduce WAN bandwidth usage by storing frequently accessed data closer to users?
a) VLAN
b) Caching / proxy server
c) NAT
d) ARP
Answer: b) Caching / proxy server
Explanation: Proxy caches (e.g., web proxies) avoid repeated downloads from internet. 👉 (HIGHLY IMPORTANT)
Q15. Data compression as a bandwidth management technique works by:
a) Increasing file size
b) Reducing number of users
c) Reducing size of data transmitted over the link
d) Blocking all non-compressed traffic
Answer: c) Reducing size of data transmitted over the link
Explanation: Compression reduces amount of bits, thus saving bandwidth.
Q16. QoS queueing techniques like Priority Queueing or WFQ contribute to bandwidth management by:
a) Random allocation of bandwidth
b) Allocating bandwidth to different classes of traffic based on priority or weight
c) Forcing all traffic into a single queue
d) Deleting old packets from disk
Answer: b) Allocating bandwidth to different classes of traffic based on priority or weight
Explanation: Queueing determines how bandwidth is shared among competing flows.
Q17. “Throttling” of internet usage in an office refers to:
a) Increasing speed for all users
b) Intentionally slowing down or restricting bandwidth for certain users or applications
c) Removing firewall
d) Disabling DHCP
Answer: b) Intentionally slowing down or restricting bandwidth for certain users or applications
Explanation: Throttling is used to control heavy/non-critical usage.
Q18. In many enterprises, which type of traffic is often throttled or given LOW priority to save bandwidth?
a) Core banking transactions
b) RTGS/NEFT messages
c) Social media, video streaming, entertainment sites
d) SWIFT payment messages
Answer: c) Social media, video streaming, entertainment sites
Explanation: Non-business traffic is restricted to preserve bandwidth for critical apps. 👉 (HIGHLY IMPORTANT)
Chapter 3: Tools, Policies & Banking Applications (7 MCQs)
Q19. In a bank’s WAN, which tool/device is MOST commonly used to implement bandwidth management policies?
a) Printer
b) Router / Layer-3 switch / WAN optimizer
c) Barcode scanner
d) Keyboard
Answer: b) Router / Layer-3 switch / WAN optimizer
Explanation: Routers and WAN controllers enforce QoS and bandwidth policies.
Q20. An Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) in bandwidth management is used to:
a) Define how staff may use internet and network resources
b) Install new routers automatically
c) Decide staff salary
d) Increase server temperature
Answer: a) Define how staff may use internet and network resources
Explanation: AUP sets rules for appropriate usage to avoid bandwidth misuse.
Q21. In banking, which type of traffic should be given the HIGHEST priority in bandwidth management rules?
a) Online gaming traffic
b) Core banking transactions, payment gateway and authentication traffic
c) Audio streaming sites
d) File sharing (P2P)
Answer: b) Core banking transactions, payment gateway and authentication traffic
Explanation: These directly impact customers, settlement and financial risk. 👉 (HIGHLY IMPORTANT)
Q22. For improving performance of CBS access from remote branches over low-bandwidth links, which is MOST effective?
a) Allow unlimited YouTube streaming
b) Prioritise CBS traffic and restrict non-business browsing
c) Disable CBS traffic
d) Remove QoS policies
Answer: b) Prioritise CBS traffic and restrict non-business browsing
Explanation: Ensuring CBS gets assured bandwidth improves branch operations.
Q23. In SD-WAN-based bank networks, bandwidth management is enhanced because SD-WAN can:
a) Use only one fixed MPLS link
b) Dynamically route applications over multiple links based on performance and policies
c) Work without any QoS
d) Remove need for encryption
Answer: b) Dynamically route applications over multiple links based on performance and policies
Explanation: SD-WAN chooses best path, applying QoS and bandwidth rules per application.
Q24. Backup and software update traffic in a bank are generally configured to:
a) Run at peak business hours with highest priority
b) Be blocked permanently
c) Run during off-peak hours with lower priority
d) Share same priority as payment transactions
Answer: c) Run during off-peak hours with lower priority
Explanation: This avoids impacting real-time transactions and customer services.
Q25. Poor bandwidth management in digital payment networks can lead to:
a) Faster UPI/IMPS transactions
b) Frequent UPI failures, timeouts, and declined transactions due to connectivity issues
c) Higher interest on savings accounts
d) Increase in physical cash usage by default setting
Answer: b) Frequent UPI failures, timeouts, and declined transactions due to connectivity issues
Explanation: Congestion and unmanaged bandwidth can directly affect digital payment success. 👉 (HIGHLY IMPORTANT)