How can I truly check my download/upload speeds using terminal or any other application, not java script based. I want to check if I am getting what I am paying for with Optimum Online (30Mbps/2Mbps)Thanks
PowerMac G4 1.2GHZ Sonnet Upgrade Card,
Mac OS X (10.4)
If you don't want to use the various speed test web sites then you have little option but to pick a file to download (find one that is at least a couple of megabytes in size from Apple's download site) and start the download. Tiger's download manager window will give you a constant update of how fast the file is coming in. Download speeds can vary greatly depending on the time of day, the location, the efficiency of the server sending you the file, etc. That's why most ISPs provide a speed test that tests your download/upload speeds within the ISPs network. Your post says your connection is supposed to 30mbps. Wow, that's faster than anything available in most any place. and indicates that you must be on a fiber optic connection. That is getting close to T3 speed. It's also far faster than most download servers would be able to actually send the file to you and there is little content available that requires that kind of connection. It would also be best for you to install Apple's recent Broadband Optimizer update so your connection is optimized for high latency fiber optic connections.
Optimum Online Boost Service is supposed to give you close to 30Mbps, I haven't gotten that close yet, all I get is between 27 and 28. Anyway, my ISP has a Java based script that let you know what's your speed. However, for the last few days, my connection starts at 27mbps and drops to 5mpbs, and stays there. I called the tech support and one of the Mac OS X technicians, which I found to be very knowledgeable of the OS, told me to use an ftp server to check the speed. I wrote most of the info down but now I can't get to run the test. I guess I have to call them back. I was wondering if there any commands on terminal to do the speed check.
I used terminal like someone suggested in another forum and this is what I got:
Last login: Mon Jan 16 19:13:53 on ttyp1
Welcome to Darwin!
You have mail.
[pm4:~] miguelit% ftp ftp1.optonline.net
Connected to ftp1.srv.hcvlny.cv.net.
220 ftp1.srv.hcvlny.cv.net FTP server (Version wu-2.6.1(4) Thu Oct 12 12:43:54 EDT 2000) ready.
Name (ftp1.optonline.net:miguelito): anonymous
331 Guest login ok, send your complete e-mail address as password.
Password:
230 Guest login ok, access restrictions apply.
Remote system type is UNIX.
Using binary mode to transfer files.
ftp> get test64
local: test64 remote: test64
500 'EPSV': command not understood.
227 Entering Passive Mode (167,206,5,41,169,10)
150 Opening BINARY mode data connection for test64 (67108864 bytes).
100% |
***********************************| 65536 KB 3.33 MB/s 00:19
226 Transfer complete.
67108864 bytes received in 00:19 (3.32 MB/s)
ftp>
How do I translate this numbers to Mpbs download/upload?
3.32 MBps was listed as your speed in the post I originally replied to; there are 8 bits in a byte, so you can calculate Mbps by multiplying the MBps figure by 8. Completing the calculation gives you 27.56.
