Testing Broadband

Testing your connection is important because the service providers make many types of promises when selling the broadband package.

Tests are mainly made to check whether the companies keep their promises.

Current tests for broadband connections include:

• Speed tests
• Tweak tests
• 24x7 line monitoring

Testing Broadband - Speed Tests

You can test your connection speeds on hundreds of test sites, located around the world. However, normally it is recommended that you test your service with a server located near your location.

Factors that include speed test results include:

• the distance between your home/office and the network location,
• the number of hops from the network location to your computer,
• the performance of network servers and routers,
• the condition of any lines between these two points,
• environmental factors,
• and your computer performance.

Available speed tests in the U.S. include:

• support.sbcglobal.net/dsl/speedtest/index.shtml
• blt.speakeasy.net
• us.mcafee.com/root/speedometer/
• webservices.cnet.com/Bandwidth/
• 2wire.com/meter/bm.html
• speedtest.oceanic.com
• speedtest.umnet.umich.edu

Road Runner Internet service from Time Warner cable has several local sites for speed testing, including:

• www.triad.rr.com/speed_test/index.html (for North Carolina)
• www.cinci.rr.com/speedtest/ (for Cincinnati, Ohio)
• www.midsouth.rr.com/speed.asp (for Tennessee and Texas)
• www.new.rr.com/techtips/speedtest/speed.asp (for Wisconsin)

Testing Broadband - Tweak Tests

Tweak tests are designed to test whether your computer is properly set up to take full advantage of broadband speeds.

Tweaking refers to modifying your PC configuration to maximise performance.

Using tweak test may be able to remedy problems associated with:

• Slow download speeds
• Download slower than upload speed
• Skipping in TCP streaming video/audio
• Blank web pages
• Connection issues to some sites

There reportedly has been several types of problems associated with using automated broadband connection optimizers, available widely on the web.

Therefore it's better to first research what can be remedied, then choose tools you can trust from the web.

Professionals in this field typically recognize a tweaking goal of (to reach) 90% of your ISPs bandwidth, but sometimes because of factors beyond your control that goal is not reachable.

Testing Broadband - 24x7 Line Monitoring

Broadband services are typically promised to be available 24/7. To check whether your service provider keeps its promises, there are now tests that monitor the uptime.

Typically, these tests ping your IP address between regular time periods and keep records of the activity.


From Testing Broadband page to Broadband Guide index