Hello all,
Currently I am running 4 computers on separate DSL connections. Benchmarks show each connection gets about 1mbps but downloads of any kind seem to be around 50kb/sec (almost like they are throttled). I am looking to significantly speed up our internet to Comcast 16mbps; however, this single line will be split through a router to the 4 computers. Is the division of bandwidth clean (as in exactly divided by 4)? This seems like it would be a major boost from what I currently have but I am concerned that bottlenecking will occur with 4 computers.
For example, all 4 computers playing games or downloading large files... will games be dropped or file transfer speed slow down to the point that having a 16mbps wouldnt help? The impression I have is that by having such high bandwidth, this should not be issues with 4 computers with heavy use from each.

Mainly I am asking if high bandwidth on one line will combat multiple heavy users.

thanks,
p

unless your router is set up to do it differently, they will all have access to the entire 16mbps connection. If they are all, for example, trying to download something at full speed of you internet connection, you will see lag. Now if only 1 is on, it will get the entire connection.

There will never be an even split with the router. I think like thehelo was saying, if one computer is using the internet, it will use all of the bandwidth. If two or more computers are using the internet, they will share it somewhat evenly depending on the hosts of the data they're requesting.

To answer your question, the connection will be split among the computers actively using the internet. Split not cleanly, but mostly even.