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StaindSou11

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Connecting 6 computers to a site through one connection - whats more important, UP or DOWN?

Hi

I am working on a project that will require 6 computers to connect to one web site on a certain day, then all at the same time hit a certain button - a 'bid' basically. The first computers to connect wins type of thing. I know that the website goes by timestamp and login name, I have 6 different login names, and I need the timestamps to be sent as quickly as possible. The person with the fastest connection gets in first basically.

So, right now Im on a RoadRunner cable connection with a 3mb download and 328kb upload. I want to increase the upload speed because I will not have just 1 or 2 computers, but 6 - I have the option to upgrade our line here to a 6mb download and a 512kb up, or a 2mb both ways, or a 3mb down and a 1.5mb up. (theres a few more options, but they dont seem plausible)

Im worried about many things:
1. Should upload be more than download, or vice-versa?
2. I am connecting them through a router/switch, will they have to take 'turns' sending the information, no matter what I do?
3. Will my operating systems have anything to do with bottleneck and/or computer hardware?


The people will log-in, wait for the dynamic clock to show a certain time, they will hit a button, a graphic question will be sent to them (to stop bots from doing it) and once they answer the question they qill submit the info.

It's very very vital I get this correct the first time around, my job depends on it. lol

Any help is greatly appreciated!
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infotrader

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StaindSou11

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I appreciate the comment.

I also agree, I don't think the size of the information I will be sending will matter too much, so 'I' (in my complete lack of experience) think the 6mb down and 512k up will be fine BUT now I need to worry about 'waiting in line' - can you (or anyone, dont want to pressure you) offer some advice on how I can check 'waiting in line' or if there are solutions to get around that (spare no expense really).

I tried setting up a test by taking two of the computers on the current connection, opening cmd up on them and then running ping (insert site) and pressing enter at the same time. Results:
One always waits for the other... which isnt good if that's how it's going to be.

Any more suggestions on testing this situation? and any ideas on how to get around it? Or anymore input on anything I might be missing?

The information is GREATLY appreciated and really means a lot to me (it means my job actually)

thanks!
-Staind

btw on the Latency part of it -

We had tested tracert to a site that we will be doing this action from (not the main one though, because it wont let us) and they had 16 hops (it took over 2k ms to get to each one though) and ours here had 17 (and we took 57ms to get to each one, average) Will this be a problem also?

I know Im asking of quite a bit, but I have until Monday to make this decision, otherwise my job will be at stake.

All Im asking is for a little information to even just point me in the right direction,

again thanks in advance

~Staind
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Les Moore
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I wonder more at the person who really believes that such a test could be definitive...   There are just too many factors involved here that could affect the outcome.  Even collisions could skew your data.    I would go to your super or director and lay out the reasons that this is not a reliable test, and the possibilities of failure are high from the start...  I would certainly not wager my job on the success of this...

FE
OK, thanks everyone for your help - we're going with 6mb down/ 512k up. I will also be getting a new router/switch to remap our local network to decrease serialization and local latencies.

FE - My job depends on the success of the project, not of the little test, lol - I would have to agree with you totally if it did

Thanks

~Staind
Then I wish you the best with the overall project..!!  In this respect, have a great week..

FE