Is there a limit on how many internet sharing connections you can have?

Question

I'm doing a project for college and I need to find this out but not having any luck searchin the net.

Answer 1

I'm not sure I understand your question.

There are limits on networking (subnets for instance have a maximum number of IP addresses available.)

As for the internet as a whole, there are limitations (we're nearing the max with IP - IP6 should eliminate that issue).

As far as 'sharing' an internet connection - the limit would be defined by whatever Network Address Translation hardware and/or software you are using.

Theoretically, you could set up a simple DSL or even dialup system in ones home with an unlimited number of systems going through one connection - but bandwidth issues make this theory nonsense. Even a T1 into a home or business has limits.

So what you're really looking at is the bottle neck - the connection from the shared systems out into the internet.

That will be entirely dependent on the number of lines 'out' to the internet, and their capacity.

I worked in a place that was once one of the central hubs for silicon valley (including multiple colleges ranging from Santa Cruz to Berkeley). They had massive amounts of bandwidth - but still had net slowdowns...

-dh

Answer 2

It all depends on if you can afford it or not.