258 Chapter 9 IPX configuration and support300868-GPerformance considerationsThe Internet is a world-wide network in which millions of participating members,including host computers and users, change constantly. Because there are manyfactors, both single and combined, that influence your Internet access, it isimpossible to discuss performance in terms of precise numbers. Additionally, thespeed of the user’s workstation and available memory size affects performance.The following information provides some broad guidelines.Normal delaysSome delays you might experience while accessing the Internet are normal. Forexample, delays can happen if a computer to which you are trying to connect isdown or simply busy, if the path is congested, or if there is a temporary Internetcircuit failure anywhere along the line. These types of delays are beyond thecontrol of the Instant Internet unit. By the very nature of the Internet’s structure,any operation is prone to delays.Number of simultaneous connectionsInstant Internet is limited to 250 simultaneous IPX applications, which can be 250users, each running a single application. Windows users running multiple Internetapplications at the same time can occupy the equivalent number of user positions.Total available bandwidth is shared among concurrent users. Depending on theapplications in use at the same time and their respective socket requirements, thenumber of simultaneous connections can vary. Operations that produce heavierloads include simultaneous FTP downloading, file transfers, downloading largegraphics, and, in some cases, intensive Web browsing.
