How do you test your internet connection?

[HelloWorl]

Just moved to a new place and the cable internet connection tests out quite well: 14 megabits down, 4 megabits up (plus or minus)

However, there's some issue with sustained connections or some or of lag...Playing Warcraft III is impossible.. Once I get in to a battle with 2 other players, my internet will cut out every few seconds. Also, it seems like there's a noticeable delay with clicking on links and waiting for them to finally load.

How can I test my connection other than a speed test, which is does quite well with?

Please note that my other computer components are fine, since I've been using them for years with no similar issues.


EDIT - The problem isn't the speed of the connection. As noted above, it tests quite well (14 / 4). The problem is that there's too much packet loss or something. I want to know if there's a way to test the connection outside of just doing speed tests and pings (as both seem to be fine).

 

[Lemon law]

Sounds like you have problems with establishing connections quickly.

You could try--start---run--type cmd the dialog box.--and then OK

them try typing ping www.google.com in the new dialog box that opens up.--and enter

On dialup I get times averaging over 250MS, with a good broadband connection your times should be well under 50MS.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

dslreports.com has a tester i think.

 

[mc866]

You could try Speedtest, not sure how accurate the results are but mine always seem to be about what I should be getting.

 

[HelloWorl]

Originally posted by: Lemon law
Sounds like you have problems with establishing connections quickly.

You could try--start---run--type cmd the dialog box.--and then OK

them try typing ping www.google.com in the new dialog box that opens up.--and enter

On dialup I get times averaging over 250MS, with a good broadband connection your times should be well under 50MS.

I get pings in the 20's and 30's.

 

[Lemon law]

Originally posted by: HelloWorl

Originally posted by: Lemon law
Sounds like you have problems with establishing connections quickly.

You could try--start---run--type cmd the dialog box.--and then OK

them try typing ping www.google.com in the new dialog box that opens up.--and enter

On dialup I get times averaging over 250MS, with a good broadband connection your times should be well under 50MS.

I get pings in the 20's and 30's.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Then latency probably does not explain your problem.

But test at time when more users are likely to be on line, one test is not definitive.

 

[Engineer]

Get your DNS from IPCONFIG (Start, Run, CMD, "ipconfig /all") and then ping each one of them to see if DNS from your cable provider is all over the place (and slow). If it is, find a faster public DNS and see if that helps (such as OPENDNS).

Also, if your modem allows (such as the Motorola SB5100, etc), go to the GUI (of the modem) and check the signal (send, receive, noise). If you post them here, we can check them at Broadband Reports to see if they are in range.

Finally, go to Broadbandreports.com, register and then use the "Tools", "Line Quality" test (must be pingable) to check your packet loss.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
dslreports.com has a tester i think.

Yes they do
http://www.dslreports.com/linequality

 

[ScottMac]

Originally posted by: HelloWorl
Just moved to a new place and the cable internet connection tests out quite well: 14 megabits down, 4 megabits up (plus or minus)

However, there's some issue with sustained connections or some or of lag...Playing Warcraft III is impossible.. Once I get in to a battle with 2 other players, my internet will cut out every few seconds. Also, it seems like there's a noticeable delay with clicking on links and waiting for them to finally load.

How can I test my connection other than a speed test, which is does quite well with?

Please note that my other computer components are fine, since I've been using them for years with no similar issues.


EDIT - The problem isn't the speed of the connection. As noted above, it tests quite well (14 / 4). The problem is that there's too much packet loss or something. I want to know if there's a way to test the connection outside of just doing speed tests and pings (as both seem to be fine).

IF you know how and have a willing participant, set up a VPN to the other person and run something like QCheck between the two endpoints. QCheck will give you throughput, latency, and packet drop for TCP and UDP (you choose).

To do any kind of quality testing or quantification, you need two endpoints, and you need some way of coordinating such that the sent stuff can be compared to the received stuff (content and timing).

IF you can round up enough people, then get one or more on teh same provider's network, and one or more on other provider's networks ... the handoff from one network to another is a frequent bottleneck in one or both directions. That is why it is usually the case (though not absolute) that your provider's DNS and speedtest sites are your best resource (there is usually less routing and no border handoff issues). Please note, I said "usually." That is the case for most, especially larger / higher tier providers.

If you're *nix literate, iperf may give you more latitude for what you actually test, and how you test it.

Good Luck