Speed Test — About Speed
Here's some information to help you understand your results.
There are a lot of things that factor into your speed test results. Download and upload speeds, backbones, networks, latency, ping times, and DNS servers.
Download
Download is a measure of how fast your connection delivers content to your computer or local area network.
Upload
Upload is the measure of how fast content is delivered from your computer or local area network to others on the Internet.
For businesses or power-users, download and upload speed should match or at least be very close. This is important for applications like VoIP, on-line gaming and other interactive programs. Upload speed is even more important if you are operating a server at your location. If achieving optimal upload speed is a concern, consider Ethernet, T1 or SDSL services.
Kbps
Kbps transfer rate = kilobit per second transfer rate. There are 8 bits in a byte, so we would divide kbps by 8 to get KB/sec transfer rate.
Transfer Rate
Transfer rate is speed at which data can be transmitted between devices. This is sometimes referred to as throughput. As files to download become increasingly larger, the highest data transfer rate is most desirable.
Latency
In a network, latency, a synonym for delay, is an expression of how much time it takes for a packet of data to get from one designated point to another. In some usages, latency is measured by sending a packet that is returned to the sender and the round-trip time is considered the latency. Low latency is extremely important for businesses and power-users.
Speakeasy Is More Than Speed!
- Core Network Performance
Backbones and Core Networks
A fast connection doesn't mean much if your provider isn't proactively managing their core network. A good provider operates their own private backbone. Quality and size of Internet backbones the provider is connected to is also key.To achieve optimal performance, broadband networks should be engineered from the ground up. Providers who are focused on high speed connections "from the edge to the core and back again" are better equipped to provide you with the best and most reliable broadband experience.
Latency and "Ping Times"
At Speakeasy, we publish our real-time network data for our customers and the public. The information displayed is a measure, in milliseconds, of how long it takes a single small packet of data to travel from one location to another and back again. Data travels at nearly the speed of light, plus the time it takes to work its way through the core networking equipment (usually just a few milliseconds). Therefore, if your connection is well engineered you can expect the rough equivalent of 20ms per 1,000 miles (round-trip).Low latency is extremely important for businesses and power-users, virtual private networks, VoIP and highly interactive applications like on-line data-bases or broadband gaming. If your usage demands low latency and your provider cannot or will not talk with you about ping times on their network (and therefore your connection) you should think twice about your choice of providers.
DNS Servers
When you type a domain name into your web browser (e.g., "www.speakeasy.net"), computers called "Domain Name Servers" attempt to quickly translate that domain name into a series of numbers called an IP address that your computer can understand. This is necessary for the website content to be located, requested and then delivered back to your browser.DNS Servers are one of several components that help make your connection truly "fast". If these servers aren't functioning or are slow to respond, it can make your connection appear slow or even offline. Make sure your provider has both secondary and primary DNS servers for you to use. Do your own investigation. Try 'Googling' your provider's name and DNS to see if they have a history of problems, (e.g., search for "DNS Comcast").
- Customer Service
Businesses that rely heavily on their Internet connection should demand a single point of contact with a dedicated representative who is more than just a nice person to talk to. In today's market place businesses need 24x7x365 service from a company who can solve any problems in "now-time" and not just issue a trouble ticket number with a promise to call you back!
- Billing and Administration
In today's web-enabled world, you should expect an electronic, easy-to-read statement of charges from your provider. These monthly statements should be archived and available through the web on-demand.
Moreover, the particulars of your connection should be administrable by you or a designate, through the web any-time, day or night. Things like adding or removing email accounts, IP addresses, increasing your web storage or changing your billing address online should be easy and painless.
- Installation and Maintenance
Busy people should expect their provider to inform them in real-time about the progress of a broadband or VoIP installation or maintenance event. There is nothing more frustrating than having to wait for a technician to arrive only to be disappointed by a no-show. Make sure your provider can give you a dedicated installation or maintenance contact that will work with you and your schedule and ultimately be accountable for what they promise!
Put Speakeasy to the Test!
With Speakeasy, you get robust broadband and phone services created and supported by uncompromising technical experts.
Give us a call at 866-300-1725 and we'll customize a solution that fits your needs.