This illustration includes two examples of throughput in computer networks, labeled "a" and "b." Illustration "a" includes three elements: a router in the center, a server to the left representing the sender of the file, and a desktop computer labeled "client" to the right representing the recipient of the file. The server and the client are connected to the router by a communications link; the link from the server to the router is labeled "Rs" and the link from the router to the client is labeled "Rc."

Example "b" is similar, but with more elements: from left to right we see a server representing the sender of the file, which is connected by a communications link to a router. This communications link is labeled "R1." The first router is connected by a communications link to a second router, and this communications link is labeled "R2." The second router is connected by a communications link to a third router, and this communications link displays the transmission rate of "..." The third router is connected by a communications link to the client, and this communications link is labeled "Rn."