A dedicated server needs enough bandwidth to handle peak traffic and keep data moving without delays. A 1Gbps connection can support workloads with modest network demand, while 10Gbps provides more capacity for concurrent users, large transfers, and traffic spikes.
For teams deploying dedicated servers, insufficient bandwidth can mean slower downloads, longer backup windows, and degraded performance under load. Choosing the right port speed and data transfer allowance helps maintain performance and keep costs predictable.
In this guide, we will explain how to calculate your bandwidth requirements, compare 1Gbps and 10Gbps port speeds, and choose a dedicated server bandwidth plan.
What is bandwidth?
Bandwidth is the capacity of a network connection to carry data, typically measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps).
When comparing dedicated server plans, you’ll likely see a few related terms that are worth breaking down and distinguishing:
Port speed: The maximum rate supported by the server’s network connection, such as 1Gbps or 10Gbps.
Throughput: The actual rate at which data moves, which depends on available capacity and other system and network constraints.
Data transfer allowance: The volume of data included in a plan over a billing period, usually measured in terabytes (TB) per month.
A “10Gbps dedicated server” typically refers to a bare metal server with a network interface card (NIC) connected at a port speed of 10 gigabits per second. This means the connection can transfer up to 10 gigabits of data each second, or 75GB per minute before accounting for protocol overhead.
However, the advertised 10Gbps port speed doesn’t establish the actual throughput that server will deliver. Actual throughput depends on how quickly the server can send data, how much capacity is available along the network path, and how quickly the receiving system can accept it.
Note: Port speed applies to sending and receiving separately. A full-duplex 10Gbps connection can send up to 10Gbps while receiving up to 10Gbps at the same time. Each direction has its own 10Gbps capacity.
How does bandwidth affect dedicated server performance?
Bandwidth determines how much data a server’s connection can carry per second. As traffic approaches the connection’s capacity, transfers compete for available bandwidth. Downloads can slow, response times can increase, and backups or replication jobs can take longer to complete.
A faster port provides more room for simultaneous traffic and can shorten large transfers. A 10Gbps connection provides a larger “pipe” for data to travel through than a 1Gbps connection.
However, a higher port speed only improves performance when the connection is a bottleneck. CPU load, storage speed, application behavior, and network conditions elsewhere along the path can also limit throughput.
How to calculate your bandwidth requirements
Whether you’re moving an existing workload to dedicated servers or planning a new deployment, estimating bandwidth requirements helps you choose a port speed and transfer allowance that fit your needs.
Here are some recommended steps for determining how much bandwidth your server will need:
1. Measure existing traffic
If you’re migrating an existing workload, review its inbound and outbound traffic over a representative period. Look at both monthly data transfer totals and patterns of demand, including peak throughput during busy periods and temporary spikes.
2. Estimate demand for new workloads
If you’re deploying a dedicated server for a new or expanding workload, you can estimate your bandwidth needs based on expected usage.
To get a rough estimate, multiply the number of concurrent transfers you expect by the data rate each requires. For example, 100 simultaneous streams at 5Mbps require 500Mbps before accounting for overhead and other traffic.
3. Allow room for growth and bursts
Traffic spikes and workload growth can push demand beyond your initial estimates. Choose a port speed with enough headroom above your calculated requirements to maintain performance as demand increases.
The appropriate margin will depend on your traffic variability, expected growth, and how much slowdown your application can tolerate.
4. Estimate monthly data transfer
In addition to choosing the right port speed, estimate how much data your server will transfer each month and what that will cost. Start with the volume of data your server will send over the internet, known as outbound transfer or egress.
Your expected transfer volume will help determine which bandwidth pricing model makes sense. Some providers include a monthly allowance, such as 10TB or 20TB, with overage fees for additional usage. Others offer dedicated servers with unmetered bandwidth at a flat monthly rate, with no overage fees, subject to the plan’s port speed and usage terms.
1Gbps vs. 10Gbps: Dedicated server port speeds compared
Dedicated server plans commonly offer 1Gbps or 10Gbps connections. The comparison below shows how these port speeds differ in capacity, transfer times, and workload fit.
1Gbps | 10Gbps | |
Maximum theoretical data rate | 125MB/s | 1,250MB/s |
Theoretical time to transfer 100GB | 13 minutes, 20 seconds | 1 minute, 20 seconds |
Workload fit | Applications whose combined peak traffic stays comfortably below 1Gbps | Applications with higher aggregate traffic, large transfers, or bursts that exceed 1Gbps |
Considerations | Less room for growth and simultaneous transfers | Requires sufficient server and network capacity to use the additional bandwidth |
Transfer times assume decimal units and full utilization, excluding protocol overhead. Actual throughput will be lower and depends on the server, receiving systems, and network path.
For workloads with bandwidth needs that exceed what can be met by a 10Gbps connection, providers may offer higher port speeds, with upgrades available up to 25Gbps, 40Gbps, 100Gbps, or more.
Rackdog offers custom configurations for these requirements, with availability and pricing provided through a custom quote.
Which dedicated server providers offer 10Gbps bandwidth?
Bare metal providers frequently offer 10Gbps connections for workloads that need more capacity than a standard 1Gbps port.
The table below lists several of the top bare metal server providers offering 10Gbps dedicated servers.
Provider | Standard or Upgrade? | Bandwidth Pricing Model |
Rackdog | Standard on most dedicated server plans | Unmetered bandwidth with no egress fees. |
Hetzner | Optional upgrade on compatible servers | Unlimited transfer at 1Gbps; 10Gbps upgrade includes 20TB outbound transfer per month, then per-TB overage fees. Inbound and internal traffic remain unlimited. |
OVHcloud | Included on selected High Grade configurations; bandwidth upgrades available on eligible servers | Unmetered bandwidth with no egress fees |
NovoServe | Included on selected plans; port-speed upgrades available | US plans include either a transfer allowance or flat-rate unmetered bandwidth, depending on configuration. |
Latitude.sh | 10Gbps or faster included as standard | 20TB outbound transfer per server per month; unlimited inbound. Additional outbound packages and overage fees apply. |
Cherry Servers | Included on selected configurations | Monthly outbound allowance varies by region: typically 100TB, or 20TB in Singapore and Tokyo. Traffic pooling and per-TB overage fees apply. |
Hivelocity | Included on select configurations; custom options available | 10–100TB outbound transfer per month, depending on plan, then overage fees. Inbound and internal transfer are unlimited. |
Offerings reflect publicly available information at the time of writing. Port speeds, transfer allowances, and billing terms may vary by server configuration and location and are subject to change. Confirm current details and any usage restrictions with the provider before ordering.
Deploy 10Gbps dedicated servers with Rackdog
Choosing the right bandwidth for a dedicated server comes down to matching connection capacity to peak demand and a pricing model to monthly transfer volume. The right plan gives your workload room to grow while keeping costs predictable.
Rackdog’s unmetered dedicated servers combine single-tenant hardware with 10Gbps ports and flat monthly pricing, with no egress fees. For workloads with high-bandwidth needs or variable data transfer, Rackdog dedicated servers provide reliable network capacity and the ability to scale your infrastructure without unpredictable data transfer costs.
Create an account to start deploying today, or get in touch with an infrastructure expert from our team to discuss a bare metal solution that’s right for your needs.