Speedtest.net Odd Results

[net91]

I've just run a speed test on speedtest.net and came across something odd. If you use the reccomended server (maidenhead) I get results of a connection speed of below 2mb and a pingtime around 300/400 ms. However if I use the London server I get a connection speed around 6mb and a ping time in around 50/60ms. I've ran the tests a few time with each server. Does anybody have any idea of why I get these different results?

UPDATE: I get the same sort or speed results if I use the Dublin server, and a ping time in the 80s (which I'm guessing is because of the increased distance).
UPDATE 2: I seem to get a range of very similar results using a few of the closest servers (such as Madrid, Brussels), so the maidenhead on seems to be the odd one.

[Rik]

TBH, Dan, I find the site unreliable. Maybe the Maidenhead server is particularly busy atm...

[net91]

Yhea. Are the speed indicators on router status pages reliable?

[Rik]

Depends what you mean, Dan. All they normally show is the synch speed.

[net91]

I just mean the connection speed. (If that is the same as sync speed  )

[Rik]

Connection speed and sync speed are indeed the same thing, Dan. Unfortunately, BT then slice a chunk of that speed off with their profile system before you get to send or receive any data. So they are reliable for showing the speed of your connection, but it only bears some resemblance to what speeds you experience.

[net91]

Ok, thanks for the information Rik. 

I originally was just wondering wheather this test router from IDNET I'm trying was giving me different speeds. The speeds are about what they normally are (ignoring the Maidenhead result).

[Rik]

How do the connection stats compare to your own router?

[net91]

I can't log into this router as I don't have the password, I wonder wheather IDNET would give me the password or they don't want it tampering with. I could however use a tool reccomended on here to get stats, I'll find out...

[Rik]

Try your account login password.

[net91]

That worked.

[Rik]

They are usually set up that way. Luckily.

[net91]

The sync speeds are the same as my router, I don't know what else to look for to be honest. A screenshot of the stats page is attached if it's of any relevance.

As for using IDNET's router I do see the "looking up..." message but only very briefly. As of yet I've not been paused on it for any amount of time. Hopefully it stays that way  .

I did notice that the router has the DNS servers manually entered rather than set to pick them up automatically.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Rik]

Well, the connection looks healthy enough. Manually entering the DNS shouldn't, theoretically, make any difference. Once the connection is established, so are the DNS servers.

If it does cure the problem, though, then the cure is going to be simple.

[net91]

Yes, it seems slightly odd, but I'm hoping my router is malfunctioning. It would certainly be a simple solution to the problem.

[Rik]

I like simple. 

[Lance]

TBH, Dan, I find the site unreliable.

I don't trust any result that speedtest.net gives

[Simon]

Just to prove how wildly inaccurate Speedtest.net can be, here are a couple I've just done.  Bear in mind, I'm on a normal IDNet Max package.

 

If only! 

[Sebby]

I don't trust any result that speedtest.net gives

Me neither. I tend to use the Namesco tester as it seems to be quite consistent.

[Steve]

Just to prove how wildly inaccurate Speedtest.net can be, here are a couple I've just done.  Bear in mind, I'm on a normal IDNet Max package.

 

If only! 

I get similar and occasionally with namesco until I turn kaspersky internet security off, then I get sensible results. Why? anyone know?

[Simon]

I have F-Secure Internet Security and get the same effects, Steve.  My best guess is some sort of anomaly with the firewall.

[Lance]

My guess is that the antivirus caches the data being transferred and the speedtester is measuring the speed at which the antivirus passes the data back to the browser.

[Inactive]

My guess is that you are both using flawed security programmes, you need to get AVG.

[Simon]

My guess is that the antivirus caches the data being transferred and the speedtester is measuring the speed at which the antivirus passes the data back to the browser.

Ah, so you're talking about the web traffic monitors?  Makes sense.  Will have to try it with it off sometime. 

My guess is that you are both using flawed security programmes, you need to get AVG.

Sorry, but...

[Steve]

My guess is that you are both using flawed security programmes, you need to get AVG.

In, I am surprised,AVG v8 is a perfect example of bloatware, might as well go the whole hog and use Vista

[Rik]

 

[Sebby]

My guess is that you are both using flawed security programmes, you need to get AVG.

I'll give that one a miss. I don't like bloatware.

[Steve]

Slightly off the original topic but some evidence for antiviral memory usage

http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2008/07/11/which-free-antivirus-is-the-lightest-on-system-memory-usage/

Also further down the page there is a link to a free copy of KIS 2009,whether the free option by using the Barclay's hack is still available I don't know as I have enough licences already.

[Rik]

Interesting read, Steve. 

[Steve]

Thanks Rik, BTW the barclay's offer is only available now by login, but is still free to its own customers

[Inactive]

In, I am surprised,AVG v8 is a perfect example of bloatware, might as well go the whole hog and use Vista

You have to pay for Vista to bloat your computer.. 

[Rik]

Enough buts to hold an archery competition, In.

[Inactive]

I put them there to save a drop of water.. 

[Rik]

Should be doing well this morning, then.

[Gary]

I get similar and occasionally with namesco until I turn kaspersky internet security off, then I get sensible results. Why? anyone know?

Since Kaspersky acts as a proxy and scans all you view, like NOD that would explain things, I imagine f-secure is similar if you use its realtime scanning feature, Not sure about AVG, being so bloated it would probably block the whole pipe.

[Gary]

You have to pay for Vista to bloat your computer.. 

Yes some may think that, but you let AVG bloat your system for free That's like eating sandwiches at a fate that are full of lard because they are free, when you could pay for something healthy and good for you on the stall next door

[Inactive]

  Comparing Vista with AVG is like comparing a double decker bus with a push bike.

[Simon]

Not really, In, they both go slow and hold up the traffic! 

[Inactive]

  True... a bit like Vista then.. 

[Gary]

True... a bit like Vista then.. 

God knows what's up with your PC In, but mine boots as fast as XP easily, oh sorry you have AVG, I forgot

[Inactive]

The Vista Computer boots up OK now, since I added more ram to it, it is just the bloody Vista System, bloody pop up windows every time you want to do anything..pathetic garbage.

Vistabloat....

[Rik]

Anyone would think you didn't like Vista, In. 

[Inactive]

Anyone would think you didn't like Vista, In. 

The understatement of the year Rik...

[Lance]

I actually prefer Vista to XP

[Sebby]

The Vista Computer boots up OK now, since I added more ram to it, it is just the bloody Vista System, bloody pop up windows every time you want to do anything..pathetic garbage.

Vistabloat....

You can switch that off you know...

[Sebby]

I actually prefer Vista to XP

That kind of talk is not allow around here.

[Inactive]

You can switch that off you know...

I just plain cannot be arsed with it any more Seb, to be honest, it just sits in the corner sulking 'cos I won't switch it on.

[Sebby]

[Gary]

The Vista Computer boots up OK now, since I added more ram to it, it is just the bloody Vista System, bloody pop up windows every time you want to do anything..pathetic garbage.

Vistabloat....

Funny how that pop up bloat keeps you safer though 

[Inactive]

Funny how that pop up bloat keeps you safer though 

Yeah, if you say so Gary, I have never had any problems with my XP so far..

[Sebby]

I'm a Windows Me fan personally...

[Inactive]

 

[Gary]

Yeah, if you say so Gary, I have never had any problems with my XP so far..

tempting fate, In 

[Inactive]

I know that Gary....one brave fool here.. 

[Rik]

I'm a Windows Me fan personally...

As in "It's me Windows, Guv"?

[Inactive]

It's all bloody Me..Me..with you lot....

[Rik]

 

You just can't have the same outlook with Vista.

[Inactive]

 

I have a dim " view " of Vista..

[vitriol]

You just can't have the same outlook with Vista.

[Rik]

 

[Sebby]