Final answer:
Network users generally expect reliability, performance, security, ease of use, and support. Throughput, the amount of data processed over time, must match usage to meet these expectations. Suitable throughput varies by use case but is vital for a smooth network experience.
Step-by-step explanation:
When users interact with a network, their expectations can vary widely depending on their experience, the context, and the purpose of the network. Generally speaking, users of a network will expect several key attributes: reliability, high performance, security, ease of use, and prompt support. Reliability ensures that the network is available when needed without unexpected downtimes. High performance relates to the speed at which data is transferred across the network, measured in terms of throughput. Security is crucial to protect data integrity and prevent unauthorized access. Ease of use implies that the network's interface and tools are user-friendly and intuitive, while prompt support means that any issues are quickly addressed by knowledgeable staff.
To meet these expectations, the throughput of a network, which is the amount of data that can be processed by the network in a given amount of time, must be adequate to handle the maximum load the network is expected to serve. The actual required throughput will differ based on the network's intended use. For instance, a network serving a small office with minimal data transfer needs will have a lower throughput requirement than a large corporation handling large volumes of multimedia data, cloud computing, and numerous concurrent connections.
For a typical modern office environment, you might expect throughputs in the range of 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps to satisfy typical user expectations. High-demand environments such as data centers or service providers might require throughput in the range of 10 Gbps or more. Understanding and planning for the appropriate throughput is essential in network design to ensure a seamless user experience and avoid bottlenecks.