Browser Impacting Network Speed

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dmartora

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#207843 16-Jan-2017 15:28

Hi, here's something I'm surprised with. The difference in reported network speeds between browsers.

I'm using an iMac with an indirect ethernet connection via a gigabit switch to an EdgeRouter.

Just ran a few bandwidth speed tests (OOKLA, fast.com and the bandwidth test built into the router), all gave me pretty similar metrics when using Chrome. When using Safari, the download speeds were markedly different. Significantly lower. (Didn't do the router test in Safari, it doesn't play well with it).

Anyway, as an example I've attached a pic of the OOKLA one, and the pic shows the download speeds vary from ~260Mbps to ~715MBps. The interesting thing is all of the tests that were below 700Mbps were in Safari, with the fater ones completed in Chrome.

Whilst I know that anything can influence speed, I didn't realise that Safari would present such a significant difference.

sbiddle

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#1704235 16-Jan-2017 16:12

You might be surprised but it's nothing to be surprised about. Ookla can perform differently on different browsers on a PC as well, and the best way of accurately testing performance is to use the Ookla app from the Windows store.

dmartora

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#1704237 16-Jan-2017 16:15

Thanks for that, I'll give it a try on my son's PC, which is also has a physical connection.

I'm now more worried about having to go into a teenage boy's bedroom and what I might have to touch than any bandwidth performance surprises.

Again, thanks for the advice.