Can I automate Internet speed testing?

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#168508 16-Mar-2015 16:41

(I'm on VF cable, but this question applies equally to any NZ internet connection.)

Is there any safe, reliable method of automated self-testing of the speed of a domestic Internet connection, using NZ servers?
Preferably without buying any new hardware or expensive software.

I've been with TrueNet in the past, but of course they were doing the testing, not me, and an extra "box" was required.

All Contributions Gratefully Received.

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PeterReader

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#1260411 16-Mar-2015 16:41

Hello... Our robot found some keywords in your post, so here is an automated reply with some important things to note regarding broadband speeds.

If you are posting regarding DSL speeds please check that

- you have reset your modem and router

- your PC (or other PCs in your LAN) is not downloading large files when you are testing

- you are not being throttled by your ISP due to going over the monthly cap

- your tests are always done on an ethernet connection to the router - do not use wireless for testing

- you read this topic and follow the instructions there.

Make sure you provide information for other users to help you. If you have not already done it, please EDIT your post and add this now:

- Your ISP and plan

- Type of connection (ADSL, ADSL2, VDSL)

- Your modem DSL stats (do not worry about posting Speedtest, we need sync rate, attenuation and noise margin)

- Your general location (or street)

- If you are rural or urban

- If you know your connection is to an exchange, cabinet or conklin

- If your connection is to a ULL or wholesale service

- If you have done an isolation test as per the link above

Most of the problems with speed are likely to be related to internal wiring issues. Read this discussion to find out more about this. Your ISP is not intentionally slowing you down today (unless you are on a managed plan). Also if this is the school holidays it's likely you will notice slower than usual speed due to more users online.

A master splitter is required for VDSL2 and in most cases will improve speeds on DSL connections. Regular disconnections can be a monitored alarm or a set top box trying to connect. If there's an alarm connected to your line even if you don't have an alarm contract it may still try to connect so it's worth checking.

I recommend you read these two blog posts:

- Is your premises phone wiring impacting your broadband performance? (very technical)

- Are you receiving a substandard ULL ADSL2+ connection from your ISP?

I am the Geekzone Robot and I am here to help. I am from the Internet. I do not interact. Do not expect other replies from me.

ubergeeknz

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Vocus

#1260419 16-Mar-2015 16:44

There's a command-line version of speedtest. Outside of setting up a server someplace, that's probably your best bet.

https://github.com/sivel/speedtest-cli

It's a python script so can work pretty much anywhere

hio77

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#1260420 16-Mar-2015 16:47

ubergeeknz: There's a command-line version of speedtest. Outside of setting up a server someplace, that's probably your best bet.

https://github.com/sivel/speedtest-cli

It's a python script so can work pretty much anywhere

worth pointing out, on higher speed connections speedtest cli doesnt scale so well.

Another option, wgeting from a local mirror site http://zeus.jetstream.co.nz/450M.bin is still my favourite testing target.

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Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

ubergeeknz

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Vocus

#1260421 16-Mar-2015 16:49

hio77:
ubergeeknz: There's a command-line version of speedtest. Outside of setting up a server someplace, that's probably your best bet.

https://github.com/sivel/speedtest-cli

It's a python script so can work pretty much anywhere

worth pointing out, on higher speed connections speedtest cli doesnt scale so well.

Another option, wgeting from a local mirror site http://zeus.jetstream.co.nz/450M.bin is still my favourite testing target.

wget won't scale well either, unless you use multiple connections

Although you could try lftp, or aria2

hio77

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Lizard Networks

#1260429 16-Mar-2015 16:56

ubergeeknz:
hio77:
ubergeeknz: There's a command-line version of speedtest. Outside of setting up a server someplace, that's probably your best bet.

https://github.com/sivel/speedtest-cli

It's a python script so can work pretty much anywhere

worth pointing out, on higher speed connections speedtest cli doesnt scale so well.

Another option, wgeting from a local mirror site http://zeus.jetstream.co.nz/450M.bin is still my favourite testing target.

wget won't scale well either, unless you use multiple connections

in testing on 10Gbit connections to local servers, wget scales alot better than speedtest. Really depends on the target file and such though too.

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

JohnButt

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#1260439 16-Mar-2015 17:03

Hahaha

Yup, use a truenet probe.

We are about to upgrade our charts to make them a lot more friendly, but we cannot fix the extra box problem. Of course the advantages of an extra box is

that the test is independent of the activity of your PC or any other PC on the network
the test is to a real location on the other side of the ISP, not to their nearest switch like Speedtest.net or speedtest on the ISPs servers, which means you are testing the entire link to APE or WIX including backhaul, and not just the connection link.
Th test runs every hour when your PC is off or disconnected.

I had to comment to encourage more volunteers, we expect to be increasing numbers shortly

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#1261274 17-Mar-2015 20:32

I've solved my monitoring problem by volunteering for TrueNet again - the "probe" that they are sending me is a MikroTik RB/951G-2HnD pre-configured as a locked bridged router.

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