Broadband Speed Tests : The Basics Explained
If you are unsure that the internet speed that your connection is attaining is the same as what your internet service provider states that you should be able to get, then a broadband speed test may be in order. This test is carried out by sending and receiving packets of data to and from internet servers around the world. You can either test your internet access speeds through one of the vast number of web sites which offer broadband speed test or alternatively, purchase or download software which does the same thing. Follow the below steps to carry out a broadband speed test:
-Access the test application. You can use either pre-loaded software on your computer or one of the many popular internet websites that can test your broadband connection speed.
-Some applications will then ask you what area in the world you would like to test the data transfer speeds with your connection. Though with most applications, there is a default server attached to the website or software that you are using.
-The first step of the test is to determine your connection latency. This is the length of time it takes for the server you are testing with to receive packets from your computer. The latency, or ping, could range from 20ms for a good connection, up to 1000ms and over for a very bad connection. Generally, countries with well established internet infrastructure will average around 30 to 100ms, and developing countries may range from 50ms up to 350ms. In some areas of the world with poor infrastructure, latency could easily be above 800ms.
-After the latency test will come the download speed test. The server you are connecting to will now send packets of data to your computer. The speed at which the data is received will identify your download speeds.
-The next test will be an upload test. Data packets will then be sent from your computer, up to the server. The speed at which they are received will ascertain your data upload capacity.
-The maximum speeds for uploads and downloads will be taken from the highest speed at which the data was transferred from and to your computer.
Be sure to remember that distance plays a big factor in the speed of your connection. The further away you are from a particular server, then the more wires and gateways and bottlenecks there are to reduce your internet speeds.
Tagged: broadband, broadband speed test, communications, internet
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