AgentGOD
join:2004-05-14
 ·Comcast
| [Speed] Comcast "PowerBoost" proven unuseful
Sorry to disappoint ya'll, Comcast's "theoretical speed burst" doesn't work as it sounds. According to Comcast, the bursted speeds should apply to even a 600+ MB game being downloaded...
But in reality, I've tried downloading several "large" files:
BF2Patch 1.03
Nero Burning ROM 7.2.0.3b
Optimum Online's 64 MB FTP test file
And the result is... around 30 MB completion, the speed drops very low...
Looks like Comcast did not provide what they were claiming...
Here, I highlighted their claim, and also added comments on how they did NOT achieve what they were imagining (to beat FiOS). |
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AgentGOD
join:2004-05-14 | 
Step by step analysis of what was going on...
As said, the conclusion is: downloading a file larger than 20 MB results in not recieving any "boost" at all... |
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AgentGOD
join:2004-05-14
·Comcast
| reply to AgentGOD
A tip to all of you people reconsidering from FiOS: Don't even bother with Comcast's "PowerBoost"... it is just another marketing scheme, but this time, did not forfill its promises!
So if you were thinking of going to FiOS, don't stop, go to FiOS! |
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PayneEnter
Premium
join:2005-09-11
Oakland, CA
| reply to AgentGOD
Re: [Speed] Comcast "PowerBoost" proven unuseful
Thank you AgentGOD for providing this information , I'm sure others will appreciate you for it...  |
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AgentGOD
join:2004-05-14
·Comcast
1 edit | reply to AgentGOD
Thank you.
As a customer, I have the right to publish my analysis of the "product" and share my experiences. Others *may* have different experiences with this "new product", but this is what I recieved.
And as for proof that I do have PowerBoost, here's a speed test:
:::.. Download Stats ..:::
Download Connection is:: 17467 Kbps about 17.47 Mbps (tested with 12160 kB)
Download Speed is:: 2132 kB/s
Tested From:: »testmy.net/ (Server 1)
Test Time:: 2006/06/22 - 10:28pm
Bottom Line:: 305X faster than 56K 1MB Download in 0.48 sec
Tested from a 12160 kB file and took 5.703 seconds to complete
Download Diagnosis:: Looks Great : 18.57 % faster than the average for host (73.178)
D-Validation Link:: »testmy.net/stats/id-S72EPGOIZ
User Agent:: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.0.4) Gecko/20060508 Firefox/1.5.0.4 [!] |
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Morty
Premium
join:2004-09-18 | The idea is clearly not to beat Fios in anyway. This simply allows people to download files generally faster. More useful for small files, and it reduces stress on the network. |
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AgentGOD
join:2004-05-14
·Comcast
1 edit | reply to AgentGOD
Thats what I'm saying... what the hell is the point of downloading small files faster, and then going back to the original speed (if downloading a big file) as if no "boosting" ever happened. It's dumb. The purpose of this kind of speed is usually used for streaming large videos, or downloading large files, such as Battlefield 2 patches (which was the first download that turned my face's smile to a frown when I saw the speed all of a sudden drop more than 50% in the middle of downloading)
On the other hand, Comcast is contradicting themselves with their propaganda and reality. |
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Morty
Premium
join:2004-09-18 | It provides the majority of users faster downloads. Most internet users do not constantly download files in excess of 20MB.
Secondly, it reduces stress on the network, while providing an advantage to the user. |
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chia
join:2003-12-20
Fort Lauderdale, FL
| said by Morty  :It provides the majority of users faster downloads. Most internet users do not constantly download files in excess of 20MB. I agree, the people that use their connections the least get the greatest benefit.  
Secondly, it reduces stress on the network, while providing an advantage to the user.
...and the biggest and most important benefit goes to Comcast. Good move on their part I guess.
Not really holding my breath for Powerboost to come to my neighborhood. Just hope this isn't the last "upgrade" in speeds from Comcast for awhile. |
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Morty
Premium
join:2004-09-18
| said by chia :Just hope this isn't the last "upgrade" in speeds from Comcast for awhile. I wouldn't think so. Remember that the 16Mbps package is available in some areas. |
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nasadude
join:2001-10-05
Rockville, MD
·Comcast
| reply to AgentGOD
marketing gimmick
I agree - it's a marketing gimmick. I was posting a comment on this when it appeared in the main news a day or so ago; before I finished the post I noticed there was a comcast commercial on TV touting their new powerboost technology.
Seems fairly useless to me. I've seen bursts up to 10-11M for a few seconds, then it drops down to my normal speed.
screw powerboost, give us more upload |
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CableTool
Poorly Representing MYSELF.
Premium
join:2004-11-12
| reply to AgentGOD
Re: [Speed] Comcast "PowerBoost" proven unuseful
I think its obvious you dont even understand how PowerBoost works.
quote:
Users are supposed to get an additional chunk of bandwidth during the first quarter or half of a significant download - provided network capacity is available - after which the speed is throttled back to your regular capped speed.
Technically there is an allocated bucket of bandwidth for each account. Once its used it usually takes an equal amount of time to refill. It does not last the entire download. Usually only as long as that bucket is full.
No one said it was a FIOS KILLER. I have no issue with PowerBoost. Its better then nothing and as long as a speed increase is coming its an added bonus that no one expected to be there.
Its like saying " The car dealer stated I would be given a new model car with BETTER fuel effeciency later this year and until then they have "tweaked" my car so its fuel effeciency is BETTER when I am driving faster. Well SCREW THEM! I want it better ALL THE TIME RIGHT NOW! Id rather have NOTHING then an unsolicited bonus in the interim! Whose with me!!!"
probably no one.
--
*´*)
¸.•´¸.•*') ¸.•*.
(¸.•´ (¸.•'
Technicians -Unplugged |
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markofmayhem
join:2004-04-08
Pittsburgh, PA
| reply to nasadude
Re: marketing gimmick
Stop the nonsense! It's insane.
Look very, very closely at the screen shots. You will find that every single one of them is downloading from a server that starts with FTP.
Powerboost O N L Y works on HTTP. FTP will NOT see a speed boost, only HTTP. Download from a web server, a web mirror, an HTTP server and you will see powerboost work. But it MUST be through the HTTP protocol. |
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CableTool
Poorly Representing MYSELF.
Premium
join:2004-11-12
1 edit | haha.. I cant even see those screen shots.
edit- based on the server being accessed through FTP we can assume he actually got BETTER then advertised base speeds.
YOU STOLE FROM SOMEONES BOOST BUCKET!
BOOSTBUCKETSTEALER! |
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Scree
In the pipe 5 by 5
join:2001-04-24
Mount Laurel, NJ
·Comcast
1 edit | reply to AgentGOD
Re: [Speed] Comcast "PowerBoost" proven unuseful
"PowerBoost" question: I see the idea is to boost speed for a "while" for small files under 20 mb or whatever. Therefore, say you download 10,000 picture files from newsgroups that are like 500 kb each. Would the PowerBoost be in effect the whole time? That is, is it used on each connection made, or just the modem itself is "up-capped" based on time (so would mean connection speed would be normal again after whatever file amount of that 10,000). (Or is it just all proven unuseful bullpucky..LOL) |
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bbrlogue
Learning New Things Daily
Premium
join:2003-12-07
Alexandria, VA
4 edits | reply to AgentGOD
Another analogy is, let the 18-wheelers go at the speed limit (on the right lane), and make the passenger cars go faster (on autopilot -- no dumb drivers here).
Traffic will flow faster.
Edit: and 18-wheelers travel long distance, whereas the majority of passenger cars get on the highway and exit after not so long a distance.
The point is to reduce the load on the highway by making those short trips faster. The 18-wheelers can travel at a steady speed if the highway is not congested. So, your downloads of big files will benefit as well. |
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MadMANN
Premium
join:2005-08-19
·Comcast
| reply to AgentGOD
Seems to me that the more extras any company tries to give people, the more they want and you can never satisfy them.
They offer Powerboost for free, stating its abilities and limitations, and you still get complaints on what it DOESN'T do.
"I want faster speeds, more channels, more HD, but I don't want to pay more for it." Then an upgrade happens and because it doesn't wipe your ass for you, there are complaints. It gets old. |
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AgentGOD
join:2004-05-14
·Comcast
| reply to markofmayhem
Re: marketing gimmick
Quote: markofmayhem
"...Powerboost O N L Y works on HTTP. FTP will NOT see a speed boost, only HTTP."
Actually, I'm afraid that you are mistaken. It works on any kind of traffic, for a specific period of time.
As this piece of evidence proves:
--------------
"...Users are supposed to get an additional chunk of bandwidth during the first quarter or half of a significant download - provided network capacity is available - after which the speed is throttled back to your regular capped speed...."
Source: »Comcast Powerboost: Hype Vs. Reality
As for what Comcast says:
"...Downloading a 686MB game takes only 12 minutes on Comcast’s 8Meg connection with PowerBoost..."
Source: »www.Comcast.com/powerboost/
--------------
Quote self: "The facts clearly contradict what Comcast is trying to prove in their propaganda in PowerBoost. I had so much hopes up that "PowerBoost" was going to be the ultimate upgrade, but I guess I had too much hope in Comcast."
That is EXACTLY what is happening with ALL of my large file downloads. Don't say "it doesn't work on FTP!!!!!11!!11!!!1", because it does. As the analysis proves, it even "boosts" the speed for FTP. It "works" regardless of the application layer, and this event happens with ftp or http.
So, if you people like to download half-way or quarter way, or so, and the speed be taken away, and end up as if no boost happened... then be my guest, and trust PowerBoost, otherwise, switch to FiOS (if that was your original plan, and that it is available in your area). |
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markofmayhem
join:2004-04-08
Pittsburgh, PA
1 edit | reply to Scree
Re: [Speed] Comcast "PowerBoost" proven unuseful
nevermind, I must be mistaken. |
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