internet speeds confusion
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: central TX
internet speeds confusion
I'm signed on for the 4 mbps downstream (medium grade) cable connection, it's been plenty fast, but was considering stepping up to the 5 mbps service anyway.
I did a few speed tests (at diff. times of diff. days) and came up with ~1.15 down(including one off of my IPs page). The upload speed was just over those advertised. I called them up and they ran a test coming up with 4.3 mbps. I asked about the difference, nobody knew, they didn't even know the test was available (on their page). I ran their website test again still hovering around 1.1.
Kinda forgot about it for a couple days, starting watching some videos (Top Gear) and it seems everything is loading much faster than usual. I've run a few more tests and now I'm at ~2.15 consitently for the last few days.
I'm sure it's simple, but can anyone explain? Thanks.
I did a few speed tests (at diff. times of diff. days) and came up with ~1.15 down(including one off of my IPs page). The upload speed was just over those advertised. I called them up and they ran a test coming up with 4.3 mbps. I asked about the difference, nobody knew, they didn't even know the test was available (on their page). I ran their website test again still hovering around 1.1.
Kinda forgot about it for a couple days, starting watching some videos (Top Gear) and it seems everything is loading much faster than usual. I've run a few more tests and now I'm at ~2.15 consitently for the last few days.
I'm sure it's simple, but can anyone explain? Thanks.
Last edited by tdister; Dec 6, 2005 at 02:31 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Zimmerman, MN
For a whole discussion on speed (and good speed tests), goto www.dslreports.com
Here's a couple links regarding speed:
http://www.dslreports.com/speed
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/258
Nothing simple about speed and the internet. So many variables out there beyond your or your ISP's control. Your cable internet provider might be sharing the connection, causing your actual download speeds to be lower due to traffic on your section (node). If your neighbors are all banging away on the internet, that might impact you.
I just ran a test here, got 1.74 on one test, and 2.3 on another (testing from different sites). Test was 30 seconds apart. Should have a 3mbps DSL connection here. Sometimes it just isn't there.
Hope those pages help clear up the confusion.
Here's a couple links regarding speed:
http://www.dslreports.com/speed
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/258
Nothing simple about speed and the internet. So many variables out there beyond your or your ISP's control. Your cable internet provider might be sharing the connection, causing your actual download speeds to be lower due to traffic on your section (node). If your neighbors are all banging away on the internet, that might impact you.
I just ran a test here, got 1.74 on one test, and 2.3 on another (testing from different sites). Test was 30 seconds apart. Should have a 3mbps DSL connection here. Sometimes it just isn't there.
Hope those pages help clear up the confusion.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Cable throughput is shared (or at least used to be, not sure anymore) so your bandwidth is distributed among people in your area. There are thousands of variables that affect throughput. If you look closely at the fine print, they don't guarantee anything.
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Posting Guru
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From: central TX
Ok, so my system should be more than capable (3.5 gig AMD, 1 gb memory etc.) and have set up firefox with some tweaks for cable. I keep it clean and my buddy did some tweaks when he helped me set it all up (not sure if he did everything on the link you provided).
I understand that my line is shared and will be diff. at diff. times, but why does their test say 4.3? Are they using a different test? It would seem to be false advertising to say "You can have 4mbps,,, test you current speed now" all in the same line if they're diff standards. I find it hard to believe the fluctuation are that severe and only get over 4 when they run the test just by luck. I think they bumped me up a notch after I called to ask about it, neither computer has loaded this fast before. Ever.
So is it worth upgrading my service if I can't get my advertised speed now? I don't expect it to be 5mbps, but would it increase the same 25%, or just suck more $$ out of me?
Thanks for the help.
I understand that my line is shared and will be diff. at diff. times, but why does their test say 4.3? Are they using a different test? It would seem to be false advertising to say "You can have 4mbps,,, test you current speed now" all in the same line if they're diff standards. I find it hard to believe the fluctuation are that severe and only get over 4 when they run the test just by luck. I think they bumped me up a notch after I called to ask about it, neither computer has loaded this fast before. Ever.
So is it worth upgrading my service if I can't get my advertised speed now? I don't expect it to be 5mbps, but would it increase the same 25%, or just suck more $$ out of me?
Thanks for the help.
Last edited by tdister; Dec 6, 2005 at 03:30 PM.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,589
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From: NW burbs of chicago
WHats your guarenteed download speed? it's probably alot lower than 4 meg.
the tests are going to never be dewad on, cause theres no telling how many computers are hitting the same test server at the same time, distance from you to the test server, number of hops to the test server.
It makes perfect sence that your cable cop's test is faster since youre on the same network as them. there are no external hops over different backbones.
the tests are going to never be dewad on, cause theres no telling how many computers are hitting the same test server at the same time, distance from you to the test server, number of hops to the test server.
It makes perfect sence that your cable cop's test is faster since youre on the same network as them. there are no external hops over different backbones.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Denver, Co
I will likely regret this, but here goes...
There are only a very, very select few cable modem users that get a guaranteed amount of bandwidth, and they pay a hefty premium for that allowance. 99.9999% of cable modem users get "best effort" profiles which will do just that...provide the best effort at giving you your alloted bandwidth.
Without going to far, here is a little insight:
There are only a very, very select few cable modem users that get a guaranteed amount of bandwidth, and they pay a hefty premium for that allowance. 99.9999% of cable modem users get "best effort" profiles which will do just that...provide the best effort at giving you your alloted bandwidth.
Without going to far, here is a little insight:
- All cable modem traffic is on shared bandwidth--both upstream & downstream. To over-simplify: Your upstream is shared with your immediate neighbors. Your downstream is shared by everyone in your general area. This will all depend on how well your local cable company manages its capacity.
- Download/upload speeds depend on every piece of network gear & transport they pass through between you & your download source/upload destination. So, any bottleneck between point A & point B will be seen on your side.
- Speed tests are very subjective. In addition to the first two bullet points, your speeds can also be affected by your modem itself. Out of date firmware or DOCSIS spec could drastically reduce what your modem is actually capable of. To be more specific (warning: geek talk ahead): A DOCSIS 1.0 modem generally will not perform as well as a DOCSIS 1.1 or 2.0 capable modem in a DOCSIS 1.1/2.0 environment. DOCSIS 1.1 & 2.0 capable modems, in a similarly capable RF plant environment, gain access to more advanced methods of data packaging. So, if you are running a 1.0 modem, your modem will not be capable of taking advantage of these lovely little data packaging methods. (Horribly over-simplified, but, hey, what do you expect?)
- The health of the local cable plant has a very intimate relationship with your speeds. Poor RF health will corrupt the signals to/from your modem leading to packetloss. And packetloss will lead to slower speeds, as one side or the other (if not both sides) will have to continually resend data that got corrupted in transit across the cable plant.
- There are virtually no sites on the Internet that will give you anything close to the download speeds that the average CM/DSL subscriber is provisioned for. The ONLY thing I can think of that a subscriber can run that will actually make use of their entire downstream bandwidth is a Bit Torrent client, and this is only because you would be downloading little pieces of a file from tens, if not hundreds, of other users, at the same time. Outside of using Bit Torrent extensively, all of the cool, high bandwidth service levels are pretty much just advertising at their finest...
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
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as deluxe said--and---try and take them to court over it--like another said--some businesses will pay a premium to have guarenteed fast dsl--then you get the leftovers!!! friend that built my computer has a faster dsl hookup than i--but its 1/3 as quick--why?? because as deluxe said--the more users on the line in your area--the slower the speed--and as another said--read the fine print--nice advertising--but NNOOOOOO guarentee--
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: N. Mississippi
You may also want to read the "fine print" in your agreement. They may throttle your speeds back to their bare minimum, depending on how much bandwidth you are using and how long you use your connection.
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Posting Guru
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From: central TX
I've got a DOCSIS 1.1 (Tosh. pcx2200). Not looking to take anyone to court, just wondering if I'm getting what I paid for and about upgrading. I couldn't find the minimum guaranteed speed, will look again. Thanks for the info guys.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,589
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From: NW burbs of chicago
There are only a very, very select few cable modem users that get a guaranteed amount of bandwidth
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Posting Guru
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From: central TX
So a couple days after my last post to this thread I stopped by the main office while in the area to ask some questions. Noone knew the answers, but was told someone would call me. When I got home (2 hours later) I ran another test and it came up at 4.15! I've run it and other tests many times since and never had below 3.8 (at 3 pm), most indicating 4.14-4.18.
I never got a call from anyone, but I think I'll not bug them anymore. I guess it pays to ask questions. Now if I'm waiting it's because of the other end, and most videos will load faster than they play. I used my grandparents dial-up last weekend and got too frustrated after about 5 min, and that was just checking my email! LOL
I never got a call from anyone, but I think I'll not bug them anymore. I guess it pays to ask questions. Now if I'm waiting it's because of the other end, and most videos will load faster than they play. I used my grandparents dial-up last weekend and got too frustrated after about 5 min, and that was just checking my email! LOL
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
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From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
I had the exact same thing happen to me. My internet was being retarded. It kept disconnecting (DSL) and being slow. So I called the internet provider and they said nothing was wrong (I talked to them for an hour). I get back on the internet the next day and it was fine. Makes ya wonder... 
-Matt
-Matt
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: MI
Matt,
have your DSL provider check your line for stresses. Check you actual download at a couple of site while downloading good size file. it should stabilize depending on your speed of service at leat at 100k. don't let them give you the BS that that DSL can't run any faster than 786 and cap you.
have your DSL provider check your line for stresses. Check you actual download at a couple of site while downloading good size file. it should stabilize depending on your speed of service at leat at 100k. don't let them give you the BS that that DSL can't run any faster than 786 and cap you.
