calculating required network capacity

[igloorex]

I swear this isn’t a homework assignment!

I am studying for a comprehensive exam in an MIS program. There seem to be a number of questions that go along these lines

Using the same 3000 collection centers and computers from part (a), assume each survey averages 50 Kb of data and each center averages 10 computers and collects on the average 10 surveys an hour per computer for 14 hours. Calculate the average total hourly network load from the collection centers to the main collection center, assuming a rather efficient 10% transmission overhead per survey sent. Show your calculations.

Is this just simply
3000 sites x
10 computers x
10 surveys/ hr x
50 Kb per survey x
8 bits/byte x
1.1 (for ten percent overhead) = 132,000,000,000 bits (=132 Gbits) per hour
(or from each site’s perspective 44Mb/hr)

The next part of the question is

Based on your answer to part (b), what is the network bandwidth requirement, in Mb per second, to meet the expected data flow? Show your calculations.

Does this simply factor in:
132 Gbph divided by
3600 sec /hr = 36.6 Mbps
(from each site’s perspective, 44Mbph = 12.2Kbps)

I could also throw in a fudge factor for the non-uniform flow of data to factor in, say, an extra 25 or 50% over required throughput to give an acceptable bandwidth.

BTW, I realize the “bandwidth” is being misused here to mean “data throughput capacity” which is not strictly speaking correct. Bandwidth is measured in Hz, not bps. Unless they want me to do something like assume a bit rate and compute the actual required bandwidth of the medium, which I sort of doubt.

Thanks!