joekuz
join:2003-03-13
Calistoga, CA
| reply to johnh123
Re: [News] PowerBoost
Been away for few days, came home, pwrcycl'd modem,
still no boost here 
Maybe if I was on gold tier I would get priority?
Better yet I need to get what Dadkins has the "bribe"tier,
he's been pwrboostin' for months and only 50 miles south of me 
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AMD 3700+ (san diego)@2739
Asus A8N-sli deluxe
1GB Corsair PC3200
Chaintech 6600GT @540/1.2
WD Raptor 36GB
Antec Trupower 430W
etc..... |
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dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
 ·Comcast
2 edits | What? Who? Me? 
Oh yeah, speed tests are accurate!!! 
EDIT: For those who don't want to click the image...
Last Result:
Download Speed: 40783 kbps (5097.9 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 677 kbps (84.6 KB/sec transfer rate) |
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Johkal
Cool Cat
Premium,MVM
join:2002-11-13
Happy Valley
clubs: | Wow! The Boost gods definitely love you! |
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dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
·Comcast
1 edit | Just further proof that speed tests are not to be trusted!
No freakin way my connection is THAT good! Sure looks cool! 
EDIT: Aw shit! LMAO! See pic! 
Last Result:
Download Speed: 46939 kbps (5867.4 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 678 kbps (84.8 KB/sec transfer rate)
WHEEEEE!!!!!!
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Think outside the Fox... Opera |
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tshirt
Premium,MVM
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA | better order some more hard drives, daddy-o. |
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dscline
join:2001-09-01
Atlanta, GA
| reply to dadkins
said by dadkins  :Oh yeah, speed tests are accurate!!! Have you monitored your datarate during the test? It's possible that it IS accurate for the time sample being tested. |
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dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
·Comcast
| Test is borked! Highest I have seen it go with NetPerSec is 19mbps in an instant burst.
Speed tests suck! LOL! Sure looks cool, huh?
--
Think outside the Fox... Opera |
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dscline
join:2001-09-01
Atlanta, GA
| Hmmm, that's odd. My local (atl) speakeasy tests have always agreed with netpersec. And we don't seem to have any kind of bursting, boosting, bumping, or grinding, (except for a VERY tiny initial burst, no where near yours) so it almost always comes in just over 8mbps. |
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cracker 52
@comcast.net
| Right on dscline. That's what I've been trying to convey as to why my Speakeasy test results have been reasonably accurate and consistent. People in markets with prolonged or significant bursts (not Powerboost) think it's that way in all markets. But we certainly don't have that here in Atlanta. What occasional bursting that may occur will only peak at 10 megs for a second at best. When we finally do get Powerboost, then our test results will probably be skewed. |
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dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
·Comcast
3 edits | And what *I* try to convey is that because one market is getting semi-accurate speed tests, that it is not the same everywhere.
For *MOST* of the Comcast markets, speed tests are inaccurate.
Have a look: »/archive?zip=&···t=Search
I see alot of scatered ZIP codes there... and alot of rather high results.
I'll say it again. Speed tests are not to be trusted - any of them!
When you run a test, and it shows below normal speeds, does that mean your connection is hosed? Likely the test hiccupped - not to be trusted.
Downloading a large file from a known fast server is a more accurate test of your line's capabilities.
Where ever you are.
Whatever ISP you have.
Whatever market you are in.
Just as when people state that Testmy.net is an accurate test...
:::.. Download Stats ..:::
Download Connection is:: 6195 Kbps about 6.2 Mbps (tested with 5983 kB)
Download Speed is:: 756 kB/s
Tested From:: »testmy.net/ (Server 1)
Test Time:: 2006/07/01 - 12:18pm
Bottom Line:: 108X faster than 56K 1MB Download in 1.35 sec
Tested from a 5983 kB file and took 7.912 seconds to complete
Download Diagnosis:: Looks Great : 19.73 % faster than the average for host (comcast.net)
D-Validation Link:: »testmy.net/stats/id-OWUYJ697I
User Agent:: Opera/9.00 (Windows NT 5.1; U; en) [!]
I don't think so! Sorry! LOL!
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Think outside the Fox... Opera |
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Bens Delicious Hog
@comcast.net
 from:
dadkins
|
Correctamundo dadkins. Only real way to judge speed is by observing a larege download. Even then it is dependant on the server providing the data and the route the data takes. Lots of folks don't seem to want to accept this.
The quick and easy speed tests are really just fluff. |
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cracker 52
@comcast.net
| reply to dadkins
Where did you get that any of us made any generalization that most of Comcast markets don't have bursting or don't have skewed test results? I only referred to Atlanta has not having much bursts and usually not having skewed test results. Just enter 303 in the archive. Unlike you, I'm not the one making generalizations.
I agree that the true test is from a FTP download. I just hate these silly sweeping generalizations, though the worst ones are from those who are having connection/speed problems.
Also, from the link you gave, the skewed results are not in any of the southeastern states, Texas, southern California or the northwestern states. Those aren't exactly small markets.
Download Speed: 8483 kbps (1060.4 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 721 kbps (90.1 KB/sec transfer rate)
I get those readings time after time. |
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danny9
Go Ahead, Make My Day
Premium
join:2002-07-14
Clinton Township, MI
clubs: 
 ·VoicePulse
·Comcast
| reply to dadkins
I agree. Most speed tests I have used show no consistancy.
The two I have found too be the most consistant are:
»speedtest.umflint.edu/ and »speedtest.mi.charter.com/
Has anyone used these before and have any opinions on them?
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To Think or not to Think: That is the real question. VoicePulse 07/29/04 |
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Johkal
Cool Cat
Premium,MVM
join:2002-11-13
Happy Valley
clubs:
1 edit | It's all subjective, but I have always liked the Web100 sites. |
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dscline
join:2001-09-01
Atlanta, GA
| reply to dadkins
said by dadkins :And what *I* try to convey is that because one market is getting semi-accurate speed tests, that it is not the same everywhere. ... When you run a test, and it shows below normal speeds, does that mean your connection is hosed? Likely the test hiccupped - not to be trusted. Well that's completely different issue than netpersec showing significantly different results than the speed test DURING the speed test.
A speedtest is NOT a complex thing. It doesn't take a whole lot to automate the process of clearing the cache or use random data or whatever, then transfer it, and time it. I don't understand what about that process has to be inherently inaccurate. It should be accurate . Obviously, if you've got significant bursting/boosting in your area, it won't accurately represent the average speed of downloads of different sizes, just like a large ftp transfer won't accurately represent the transfer speed of a small file. It's not so much an accuracy issue, it's a sample size issue that manifests itself in a variable speed environment, which is what those of you in bursted/boosted essentially are (more so than the net already is).
But the puzzlement to me is why a speedtest would give significantly different results than the average while monitoring the transfer with netpersec, while some of us using the same test sites are getting very accurate results. |
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doomed999
join:2004-02-25
Romeoville, IL
1 edit | 
Screen Of Traffic threw Firewall... |
2006-07-02 09:58:50 Speed test @ speed.nap.wideopenwest.com 23806/358 kbps
2006-07-02 09:56:39 Speed test @ chicago.speedtest.frontiernet.net 15031/359 kbps
Explain how the speedtest is way up as the MAX though the firewall was 284k??
Just proof that as some markets the tests may be accurate, it sure isn't by me... |
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dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
·Comcast
| reply to dscline
Ok, say you have a 1 second pause(it happens) while doing a speed test. This will give the tester a low result.
Because the tester sees this low result, should they immediately call Comcast and complain?
Bursting.
When I see 14 - 46mbps results... should I think I have a magical line and then complain when an actual download shows the 8.5mbps I normally get?
Since Comcast has had bursting for nearly a year, I suspect that your market may have a problem.
Whether it is oversold, equipment that is overloaded/old, whatever... you get reasonably close results.
This does not mean that the Speakeasy test(or any other speed test) is to be held as accurate.
Yeah, NetPerSec shows an instantanious burst here of about 19mbps then drops... yet the Speakeasy(S.F.) test keeps on climbing to unreal results!
Santa Cruz NDT also shows me above 9.2mbps and that is running for 10 seconds.
I'm here in California. We get any and all upgrades/enhancements last!
I have been getting 12-14mbps for about a year on various different tests.
Some others, I see ~4mbps. Which one(s) should I go by?
I'll tell you which one(s) I should trust - none of them!
Seeing as most every other market is seeing odd results from speed tests... they all suck!
Ever consider that maybe, just maybe, the Atlanta Speakeasy test is congested?
Perhaps the Atlanta Comcast market is off a little?
People in nearly all other markets are seeing insane burst speeds...
Try this, go to the Speakeasy test and choose San Francisco, or any other Speakeasy server. What are your results?
--
Think outside the Fox... Opera |
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CajunTek
Insane Cajun
Premium,MVM
join:2003-08-08
Arlington, TX
·RoadRunner Cable
| Oh yeah they are accurate  |
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dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
·Comcast
| 
About right... |
Here, a real speed test! |
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dscline
join:2001-09-01
Atlanta, GA
1 edit | reply to dadkins
quote:
Ok, say you have a 1 second pause(it happens) while doing a speed test. This will give the tester a low result.
Because the tester sees this low result, should they immediately call Comcast and complain?
Bursting.
When I see 14 - 46mbps results... should I think I have a magical line and then complain when an actual download shows the 8.5mbps I normally get?
Of course not. And the same would be said if those results were based on large FTP transfers. There are no guarrantees, actual transfer rate can and does vary, especially if you have bursting/boosting, and you're downloading files of various sizes. The only time you should be upset is if you consistently get speeds significantly lower than what you're paying for. I fail to see what any of that has to do with discrepancies between speed tests and ACTUAL transfer rate during that time period.
quote:
Since Comcast has had bursting for nearly a year, I suspect that your market may have a problem.
Whether it is oversold, equipment that is overloaded/old, whatever... you get reasonably close results.
Keep in mind we're firmly entrenched in Bellsouth territory. There's not much motivation here for Comcast to improve our bandwidth, and with BS's luck in controlling their competition (outside of cable, which itself is inherently monopolised), I don't see that changing any time soon. Does that mean there's a problem in our market? Guess that depends on your definition. I think there's definitely a problem with the competitiveness in our market, but not in the equipment. While I don't get the bursting many get, I do have very consistent service. It's extremely rare that I get performance less than what it should be for my 8mb tier that can't be attributable to the source I'm downloading from.
quote:
This does not mean that the Speakeasy test(or any other speed test) is to be held as accurate.
I'm not saying they are, or aren't. But they've certainly appeared to be very accurate for me. That doesn't mean they are for other areas. In fact, if you live in an area with bursting or boosting, I would EXPECT the results to be higher than averages from longer downloads. What I still don't see is an explanation as to why the actual measured throughput by netpersec is significantly different than your speedtest. Our results should be different, because the speed characteristics are different in our two markets. But the CODE that the speedtests use should be the same if we're using the same speedtests, so I don't understand why yours are screwed up, and mine appear to be on target.
quote:
Yeah, NetPerSec shows an instantanious burst here of about 19mbps then drops... yet the Speakeasy(S.F.) test keeps on climbing to unreal results!
And that is what I'm curious about. The only logical explanation I can think of is that the tests are written to look at the peaks, assuming that slower spots are due to net congestion. Since my bandwidth is fairly constant, this wouldn't result in different results for me anyway. But certainly would for someone with bursting/boosting. Do your speedtest results correspond with the PEAKS in netpersec?
quote:
I have been getting 12-14mbps for about a year on various different tests.
Some others, I see ~4mbps. Which one(s) should I go by?
I'll tell you which one(s) I should trust - none of them!
And I get significantly different results with large ftp downloads from various sites. Some are consistently fast, some are consistently slow. Some vary. So *I* believe the ones that are consistently fast, because it's logical that the many variables between me and the slower and/or less consistent servers can hinder the results. Since I don't appear to have any significant boosting/bursting, there aren't any variables I can think of that would affect my results positively beyond my caps. And the results have proven that. If you've got significant bursting, then your bandwidth is essentially variable. It seems the problem is people in those areas are expecting consistent results, and they just won't be.
quote:
Perhaps the Atlanta Comcast market is off a little?
People in nearly all other markets are seeing insane burst speeds... I'm here in California. We get any and all upgrades/enhancements last!
Ok, so which is it? Your market sucks more, or mine?
quote:
Try this, go to the Speakeasy test and choose San Francisco, or any other Speakeasy server. What are your results?
They are above (don't know how to make them show up at the bottom). SanFran, Atlanta, and OOL, respectively. The Atlanta result is consistent with what I typically get (between 7900 & 8200). The upload is usually a little higher when I have my QoS turned off (I use VoIP). I don't do QoS on the download side, as I've not found it to be needed. I don't normally test SanFran, but not surprised to see it lower, being on the opposite side of the country. The OOL test is consistent with other sites that have high bandwidth, but of course, in real world use, most places I visit don't have as much bandwidth.
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