| DSL Speed Test helps to measure the download | | | | other program is working alongside the test. |
| and upload rate of a DSL connection. Even | | | | |
| though DSL internet connections offer | | | | While conducting a DSL speed test, the test |
| reasonably good performance, it is a good | | | | site one chooses should ideally be near ones |
| idea to check the speed of the internet | | | | physical location. Accuracy cannot be fully |
| connection with DSL speed test. The speed | | | | guaranteed if the site is far away. The |
| test will help one to accurately judge the | | | | connection speed can change from one host to |
| current line output or internet connection | | | | another because of the following reasons the |
| speed. | | | | ISP bandwidth, internet traffic, server |
| | | | capacity, the hardware used, and the |
| Several DSL Speed Test software programs are | | | | operating system. Another deciding factor is |
| available right in the market, which provide | | | | whether one is accessing cached or non-cached |
| an easy and efficient way to test the speed | | | | data. Though these factors will affect the |
| of the Internet connection. One can use any | | | | download time, DSL speed test is still a good |
| of these software programs to measure the | | | | identification of how fast or slow the data |
| Internet connection bandwidth before tweaking | | | | transfer of information is over ones internet |
| the network setup. There are several websites | | | | connection. |
| also which offer the same facility. The | | | | |
| download speed of the internet connection is | | | | Most speed tests are configured not to save |
| calculated by sending a large file to ones | | | | or cache the test web page of the computer so |
| computer. It is recommended that before | | | | that the test may be repeated anytime. The |
| starting the speed test, all running programs | | | | tests also help to check the speed for |
| except the test window are closed. The | | | | loading graphics and text separately. DSL |
| unwanted temporary internet files (cache) | | | | speed test is usually measured in Kbits per |
| have to be cleared. This is important as one | | | | second. |
| cannot accurately check the DSL speed if any | | | | |