Wan Speeds Explained -

control

If for example a provider has supplied a 512Kbs Wan Link (say via Sat) to a remote office, what does this actually provide? Does this just mean there is "pipe" available that can carry up to 512Kbs data at any one time. Or is sent and received data carried at different speeds to and from the remote office?
Does the 512Kbs indicate both download and upload speed, or does this not come into it?

Iristheangel

It depends on what they are providing and the service providers' explanation. For example, if it's a T1, then it's generally accepted that it's "guaranteed" bandwidth and if it's a fractional T1, you could be using PART of a full T1 (that pipe is used for both upload and download but you only get 512 total).

With DSL and Cable, we head into iffy territory. With DSL and Cable, it's generally "up to X amount of bandwidth" which basically means they don't guarantee the bandwidth and you get up to those speeds. DSL can further be split up into ADSL (uploading speeds less than download), SDSL (Same upload and download speeds), etc.

Satellite is a little different. The download speeds are generally higher than the upload speeds considering where you are uploading the data to (usually dial-up with Satellite). It's a pain in the butt to you satellite internet.

To answer your question, it all depends on the provider, what kind of WAN connection, and your contract with the provider.