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To: Ron who wrote (27108)1/6/2010 9:30:43 PM
From: Cogito  Read Replies (1) of 51702
 
>>Typically those online speed measuring sites bounce packets of data to servers in whichever city you pick. So if you are in Dallas, you'd want to test it on a server some distance away. For example here in Raleigh, I usually use Chicago or Seattle as test servers so the data has further to travel. Often I'll get a faster speed if I pick a closer city, such as Atlanta. If you use cable your speed will be affected by the number of users online in your neighborhood, as well. For example if there is some kid nearby doing some heavy duty gaming, that is likely to slightly drag down the speed of everyone in that area. Someone streaming a Netflix movie would also probably have that effect.(Some cable companies deny this, but I have seen it in action) I don't believe this happens with DSL.<<

If you use a distant server, you are measuring a different thing than if you use a local one. In the case of the local server, you're measuring (mostly) the speed of your own link to the Internet. The farther away the server you choose is, the more "hops" may be involved in the transfer of data, so essentially the speed you get will depend on the slowest link in the entire pathway.

For that reason, the most meaningful numbers you get will be from the closest server, as a general rule, since your own link to the Net has the most influence there. Every single packet you download or upload has to travel over your own link.

I hope that's helpful. It's a lot easier to explain with diagrams.

- Allen
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