Convert IOPS and block size into storage network throughput and the number of links required.
Storage arrays are specified in IOPS but networks are specified in bits per second, and block size is the conversion factor: 120 000 IOPS is 469 MB/s at 4 KB but 3.75 GB/s at 32 KB. Protocol framing and a utilisation target then determine how many links carry it. Most storage performance complaints are actually network saturation, and this shows whether the array's rated IOPS can even fit down the installed links.
Storage Network Throughput
MB/s = IOPS × block KB ÷ 1024; required Gbps = MB/s × 8 ÷ 1000 × (1 + protocol overhead); links = ceil(required ÷ (link speed × utilisation target)).
MB/s = IOPS × block KB ÷ 1024; required Gbps = MB/s × 8 ÷ 1000 × (1 + protocol overhead); links = ceil(required ÷ (link speed × utilisation target)). Storage arrays are specified in IOPS but networks are specified in bits per second, and block size is the conversion factor: 120 000 IOPS is 469 MB/s at 4 KB but 3.75 GB/s at 32 KB. Protocol framing and a utilisation target then determine how many links carry it.
Most storage performance complaints are actually network saturation, and this shows whether the array's rated IOPS can even fit down the installed links.
This calculator takes 5 inputs: IOPS, Average block size, Link speed, Protocol overhead, Utilisation target per link. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.