Bytes, Gigabytes and "GB" on the bill
Bearing in mind most switches/routers output traffic stats in Bytes and most bills go to customers in GigaBytes, which of the following options are being used by each of us to convert between the two when creating the bill? A, divide by 1024 * 1024 * 1024; B, divide by 1024 * 1024 * 1000; C, divide by 1024 * 1000 * 1000; D, divide by 1000 * 1000 * 1000. Option A gives what anyone associated with computers would expect. Whilst the later options give a larger GB figure (- that can appear on the bill and be charged more). What is in use out there by ISPs? According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigabyte): "The usage of the word "gigabyte" is ambiguous, depending on the context. When referring to RAM sizes and file sizes, it traditionally has a binary definition, of 1024³ bytes (typically assimilated or approximated to 1000³, for convenience). For every other use, it means exactly 1000³ bytes. In order to address this confusion, currently all relevant standards bodies promote the use of the term "gibibyte" for the binary definition."
We use powers of 2 (i.e, Option A).
However, that's just because I said so :)
Most of our customers are either tech-savvy enough to appreciate the
accurate conversion, or not tech-savvy enough to care. I think this
would hold in a majority of situations.
--
-Michael Fincham
Bearing in mind most switches/routers output traffic stats in Bytes and most bills go to customers in GigaBytes, which of the following options are being used by each of us to convert between the two when creating the bill?
A, divide by 1024 * 1024 * 1024; B, divide by 1024 * 1024 * 1000; C, divide by 1024 * 1000 * 1000; D, divide by 1000 * 1000 * 1000.
Option A gives what anyone associated with computers would expect. Whilst the later options give a larger GB figure (- that can appear on the bill and be charged more). What is in use out there by ISPs?
According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigabyte):
"The usage of the word "gigabyte" is ambiguous, depending on the context. When referring to RAM sizes and file sizes, it traditionally has a binary definition, of 1024³ bytes (typically assimilated or approximated to 1000³, for convenience). For every other use, it means exactly 1000³ bytes. In order to address this confusion, currently all relevant standards bodies promote the use of the term "gibibyte" for the binary definition."
_______________________________________________ NZNOG mailing list NZNOG(a)list.waikato.ac.nz http://list.waikato.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/nznog
Hi Paul, MM from iiNet outlines which method they use here: http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=601350#r10 Regards Trevor On Fri, 22 Jun 2007, Paul Adshead wrote:
Bearing in mind most switches/routers output traffic stats in Bytes and most bills go to customers in GigaBytes, which of the following options are being used by each of us to convert between the two when creating the bill?
A, divide by 1024 * 1024 * 1024; B, divide by 1024 * 1024 * 1000; C, divide by 1024 * 1000 * 1000; D, divide by 1000 * 1000 * 1000.
Option A gives what anyone associated with computers would expect. Whilst the later options give a larger GB figure (- that can appear on the bill and be charged more). What is in use out there by ISPs?
According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigabyte):
"The usage of the word "gigabyte" is ambiguous, depending on the context. When referring to RAM sizes and file sizes, it traditionally has a binary definition, of 1024³ bytes (typically assimilated or approximated to 1000³, for convenience). For every other use, it means exactly 1000³ bytes. In order to address this confusion, currently all relevant standards bodies promote the use of the term "gibibyte" for the binary definition."
_______________________________________________ NZNOG mailing list NZNOG(a)list.waikato.ac.nz http://list.waikato.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/nznog
On Fri, 2007-06-22 at 16:41 +1200, Paul Adshead wrote:
Bearing in mind most switches/routers output traffic stats in Bytes and most bills go to customers in GigaBytes, which of the following options are being used by each of us to convert between the two when creating the bill?
A, divide by 1024 * 1024 * 1024; B, divide by 1024 * 1024 * 1000; C, divide by 1024 * 1000 * 1000; D, divide by 1000 * 1000 * 1000.
Telecommunications normally uses powers of 10, e.g. 1 Mbps is 1,000,000 bps, so it is natural to do charging based on powers of 10. (Voice is 8kHz x 8 bits = 64 kbps, not 2^16 bps) Stephen. -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Stephen Donnelly BCMS PhD email: sfd(a)endace.com Endace Technology Ltd phone: +64 7 839 0540 Hamilton, New Zealand cell: +64 21 1104378 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephen Donnelly wrote:
On Fri, 2007-06-22 at 16:41 +1200, Paul Adshead wrote:
Bearing in mind most switches/routers output traffic stats in Bytes and most bills go to customers in GigaBytes, which of the following options are being used by each of us to convert between the two when creating the bill?
A, divide by 1024 * 1024 * 1024; B, divide by 1024 * 1024 * 1000; C, divide by 1024 * 1000 * 1000; D, divide by 1000 * 1000 * 1000.
Telecommunications normally uses powers of 10, e.g. 1 Mbps is 1,000,000 bps, so it is natural to do charging based on powers of 10.
(Voice is 8kHz x 8 bits = 64 kbps, not 2^16 bps)
Stephen.
Please don't confuse the difference between (bits) bps and (Bytes) Bps at this stage. bps is base-1. Bps is base-8. The first you are talking about does translate to base-10 seamlessly, 8,000 x 8 = 64,000 which is correct saying 64 kbps in both common and technical. The latter, which does not, is what this thread is about. AJ
participants (5)
-
Michael Fincham -
Paul Adshead -
Stephen Donnelly -
TreeNet Admin -
Trevor Lee