Kevin Groat

Ran the test on ADSLguide.com test last night on my connection and found I'm getting 225 kbps (both directions) on a supposed 512 connection. Where could the problem exist, with the ISP or the BT line. Have emailed the ISP with details but wondering if anyone else have experience of trying to sort a similar problem.

Kevin.

ozzy

Kevin,

When you downloading files, what's your average rate (in Kbps). On a 512kb line (cable), I was seeing between 50-60kb per sec. On my 1Mb line it's at least double this (assuming the host is capable of supplying at this rate).

Stefan

Kevin Groat

Stefan,

I'll have a crack at this tonight and let you know.

ozzy

Which speed test did you run?

There's a whole list of them on ADSLguide.com

Stefan

ozzy

This is pretty good. It's designed to test a Blueyonder connection, but it has some options for other providers.

Basically you want to test the connection between your PC and the ISP. I would suggest trying to download something from your ISPs sites. If you find a site, use the tracert command to see how many routes there are between your PC and the host. If it's slow, it could be anywhere along that route that is slowing it down. At least it gives you an idea of where to look.

Note: Some servers won't respond to the ping on a tracert, so don't read that it's a sure sign of a problem if they timeout.

Stefan

HankScorpio

try this uk based one:
http://adslguide.org.uk/

I try to do one a month and it's always pretty good, some of the global ones have come up with some very bizzarre numbers....

cong

you people have to remember that you would only get 256kb up and 256kb down so the total would be 512kb

ozzy

eh!

not on mine it isn't. 512Kb is 512Kb downstream and 256Kb upstream. 512Kb is the available bandwidth.

What you need to be aware of is the speed in kb/sec. This gives a true indication of download speed.

Stefan

HankScorpio

errr... no.
The A in ADSL is for Asymmetric, upload is always different from download or it wouldn't be ADSL.

Harry_Boy

Agree with Ozzy- my 1 MB NTL connection gives a download speed of around 115 to 130kb per sec.

cong

this is what ive read and quotede from this website! so your 512 would be max uploading at 256 even on a 512! so you would never get 512 even if your on a 512

"What speeds are the E7even.com ADSL broadband products?

The E7even.com ADSL broadband packages will allow you to download at speeds of up to 512Kbps/1Mbps and upload at speeds of up to 256kbps"

ozzy

Yes, we know that. That's why I quoted downstream and upstream speeds. If you have a 512Kb connection you'll download at the higher speed, but the uploads will be limited. The point was that you quoted it would be the same in both directions and they are not.

On a 512Kb cable connection (Bluyeonder) the upstream used to be 128Kb. Now on my 1Mb line, the upstream is raised to 512Kb. On a leased line connection, the upstream and downstream are the same (e.g. at work our 1Mb and 512Kb connections offer the same speeds in both directions).

Stefan

Kevin Groat

Hmmm, now I'm confused. The output from the ADSLguide test gave me summit like 228 upstream and 224 downstream, I then filled in a small survey telling the system that I had a 512 ADSL connection. The output from the survey told me that my connection was slow so I assumed I should be getting something closer to 512 as the speed. I'll try it again tonight and try downloading some files as well.

gregh

maybe stupid comment, but make sure nothing else is using your ADSL connection whilst your doing the tests.

RoadrunnerV2

Kevin

Remember your adsl is no doubt on 50:1 contention. That means up to 49 other people can share the same bandwidth you are using. You will normally see a drop in performance when your local exchange is crowded/new and the majority of people (kids) are trying to use the connection aka easter holiday, half term etc. We have several business ADSL connections, during the day they ‘sometimes’ go to a crawl, yet in the evening when the local businesses have closed, the connection goes back to normal levels.

What I am getting at is don't jump the gun especially during holidays when kids are sucking up the bandwidth Run the speeds tests at various times to give you a trend/history on performance. If the problem still persists then you have ammo to go back the ISP and say my connection has been slow for xxx days with multiple speeds tests been run on each day

If you have a router then you can also check the stats for the traffic levels.

www.dslreports.com/tools is a good site.

FYI - you should be getting roughly about 450 download speed, not 228

ozzy

Assumming Kevin's surfing from home, that's the whole Island

Kevin,

On a 512Kb connection, your download speed should be 450-512Kb on a perfect line. This would equate to around 45-60Kbps downloads speeds.

Stefan

Yuck Fou Motorsport

Just tested my AOL Broadband connection speed, says i'm connecting at 444kbps, 56kbps download speed...

Kevin Groat

LOL Stefan, I'm actually logging in from Aberdeen now as I work here during the week and travel back to Shetland at the weekends. Our local exchange in Shetland just passed it's Broadband trigger last weekend so hopefully Broadband will arrive in Shetland soon - been promised by BT for this summer.
Think I've discovered what the problem is........Tiscali..Done some reading and their service is being slated for it's speed just now. Not paticularily bothered just now, just enjoying the relative speed increase over our 64K at home and the 24k line I was using here before.