ComputerHunter.org

 

How to Test Your DSL and Cable Internet Connection Speed


There are two measured elements that determine your internet connection speed. They are: The download rate, and the upload rate of data measured in bits per seconds. Usually, it is expressed in Kilobits per second.

A bit is the smallest piece of data that can be stored in a computer. The bit can be either "0" or "1". The byte is eight bits. Example of a byte and bits are the following:

bit= 0 or 1

byte=8 bits

1 byte=10011101 (eight bits)

A single charcter needs one byte or eight bits to be stored in a computer. So, when the data rate is 1 byte/sec, that means one character per second is the rate at which data is transferred through your connection.

This is very slow, and only intended for an example. In order to browse the internet, you must have at least a dial up access with a 56kb/s modem, in order to get a meaningful and practical result.

There are different types of internet connection. First they introduced the dialup connection using your phone line, then the broadband was introduced.

The broadband internet connections are DSL, Cable, or Satellite internet services. They are widely used and expanding due to the high bandwith.

When you get an internet service, your provider states that your speed will be a certain numbers. They usually give you a good idea, but not an exact one. The common asked questions among internet users is:

How do I know what is my connection speed, and if I am getting what I was promised?.

If there anyway I can test my connection, and do I need to buy expensive software to test it?.

The answer is simple. There are two ways to test your internet connection speed:

1- The manual simple calculation test that you can do yourself without any software or third party services.

2- You can find a service that lets you run a test through their servers, and get your numbers displayed at their webpage.

1-The manual method:

Since I mentioned that the connection speed consist of two numbers, the download and upload speed. So, what you do is download from the internet any free software, and watch the result box with the result that show the size of the file and how many seconds it tool to download.

When you are done recording the download speed, upload a file of a specific size (1 Mb, 2 Mb), and time your watch when you start. When the file is uploaded, check your watch and record the time it took for the task. Then divide your file size by the seconds it took.

If you file was 2 Mb. that took 5 minutes to upload, then your upload speed is 2 Mb./300 sec. or 6.826 Kbits/sec.You can run the above test couple times, and then take the average for a better result.

2-The automated test at a third party service:

This is my preferred one, where you get to a website where the test is done for you. It is done using a script installed on their server, and letting you download and upload to their server a test file (invisible to you). Then, the result is displayed on their webpage. You just have to register for free using your email. It is free. This is a website address where they offer you a free internet connection test:

http://www.visualware.com.

In summary, don't settle for numbers given to you by your services, do the tests whenever you can. You enjoy it, and feel that you are getting your money worth. This is because some servcies charges you 35 dollars or more for a high speed internet service.

Thanks,
George Chamoun

I have created an Ebook about troubleshooting procedures for DSL, or Cable connection problems. You can get it for free by right clicking the link and saving to your computer:

http://www.ebookfreestore.com/software/ComputerEbook.pdf







Google News - Top Stories

Thanh Nien Daily

Bush: Olympic boycott would insult Chinese
CNN - 1 hour ago
TOYAKO, Japan (CNN) -- US President George W. Bush has defended his decision to attend next month's Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing, saying that to do otherwise "would be an affront to the Chinese people.
Video: Bush Reassures Japan on North Korean Kidnappings AssociatedPress
Leaders gather for Japan G8 summit Aljazeera.net
International Herald Tribune - TMCnet - The Associated Press - KXMC
all 541 news articles


Canada.com

Crews forge progress against California fires
CNN International - 5 hours ago
SANTA BARBARA, California (CNN) -- Authorities overseeing the battle against hundreds of wildfires in California had a mixed assessment as the weather forecast for Sunday stirred both hope and concern across the state.
Firefighters report progress in California blazes AFP
'Critical day' for growing Goleta fire; Big Sur blaze only 5 ... Los Angeles Times
Disaster News Network - Santa Ynez Valley News - Reuters - Fort Worth Star Telegram
all 933 news articles


Washington Post

Betancourt returning to Colombia 'in a few days' to write play
AFP - 4 hours ago
PARIS (AFP) - Former hostage Ingrid Betancourt said in an interview Sunday she would return to Colombia "in a few days" to write a play about her experience after being held in the jungle for six years.
Betancourt returning to Colombia soon to write play ABC Online
Analysis: Colombia's Uribe rides high after rescue The Associated Press
International Herald Tribune - Xinhua - PRESS TV - Reuters
all 4,402 news articles


Washington Post

Obama "puzzled" by Iraq comment frenzy
Reuters - 6 hours ago
By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent ST. LOUIS (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said on Saturday his plan to end the Iraq war was unchanged and he was puzzled by the sharp reaction to his statement this week that he ...
Obama says he's 'been very consistent' on Iraq CNN International
Veterans Hit the Battlegrounds Washington Post
New York Times - AFP - Voice of America - Washington Times
all 1,777 news articles


Times Online

Jesse Helms dies at 86; NC senator opposed equal rights
Detroit Free Press - 4 hours ago
Conservative icon Jesse Helms, the former Republican senator from North Carolina, died Friday. He was 86. Helms, who served 30 years in the Senate, died of natural causes in Raleigh, NC, an aide said.
Video: A Look Back At Jesse Helms CBS
Helms never changed on civil rights opposition The Associated Press
Washington Post - Wall Street Journal - Boston Globe - San Jose Mercury News
all 2,340 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base