Bandwidth is defined as the amount of data that can be sent through a data-transmitting medium, such as a computer network, telephone line or coaxial cable, in a given amount of time. Bandwidth is directly proportional to the amount of data transmitted or received per unit time. Large sound files, computer programs and animated videos require more bandwidth than text files. Mike Moore, director of computer operations, compared bandwidth to a water pipe connecting DePauw's network with the Internet. It is a limited means through which information can flow.
Some sites release more water into the pipe than others.
And when the pipe is full, nothing can move in or out. Students are going through MP3 withdrawal - again. DePauw updated its block against Napster, a popular MP3 download Web site Sunday night, and blocked similar sites iMesh and Scour from the University network. According to Mike Moore, director of computer operations, the sites were consuming a significant portion of the network's bandwidth, limiting the use of the Internet for academic purposes. Moore said computing services is looking into an option that will allow students limited use of the blocked sites without intruding on the network's academic function.