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How can I determine if my speedtest server is accurate

We are using software from Ookla. Doing a speedtest from within a LAN, say at any workstation we get skewed results.

Bandwidth T-1
Speedtest results: 1.40 down and 768k up

My question is shouldnt these results be symmetrical? Would the LAN in any way get in the way of the results and if it did should that not bring down the total bandwidth reading symmetrically?

Kent Olsen

Hi March,

It's not uncommon for networks to have different upload/download speeds. The traffic is directional and it's fairly easy to have a network device send at one speed and receive at another. Many ISPs do that. Your home connection may well be 8Mb download, but only .5Mb upload.

Good Luck,
Kent

marchopkins

ASKER

I understand that, but let me ask this just to further clarify. Can LAN traffic effect the speedtest in any way?

jimbecher

The answer is yes. I have called different ISPs on several occassions to question the speed and before they will even talk about they want you to disconnect the router from the LAN and plug it in to a single computer off the LAN and test the speed. LAN traffic does effect the speedtest results.

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edster9999

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xterm

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marchopkins

ASKER

thanks guys. I better understand this now. I agree with a piece of what you are all saying. I do disconnect LAN traffic and run from the back of an IAD out to the speedtest server at network's edge. Its the only way i can be assured that I have an accurate measurement.