Network bandwidth is usually denoted in **bits** per second (Gbps), while storage is in **Bytes** (GB). What is the conversion ratio?

There are 8 bits in a single Byte. This distinction is critical because ISPs often market speeds in 'Megabits per second' (Mbps) to make the numbers appear larger, while software downloads are shown in 'Megabytes per second' (MB/s). To convert a 100 Mbps internet connection into its actual download speed, you must divide by 8, yielding a real-world maximum of 12.5 MB/s. Confusing bits and bytes can lead to an 8x error in performance estimations, which can be catastrophic during the capacity planning of a large-scale system.