| There are two measured elements that | | | | services.2- You can find a service that lets |
| determine your internet connection speed. | | | | you run a test through their servers, and get |
| They are: The download rate, and the upload | | | | your numbers displayed at their webpage.1-The |
| rate of data measured in bits per seconds. | | | | manual method:Since I mentioned that the |
| Usually, it is expressed in Kilobits per | | | | connection speed consist of two numbers, the |
| second.A bit is the smallest piece of data | | | | download and upload speed. So, what you do |
| that can be stored in a computer. The bit | | | | is download from the internet any free |
| can be either "0" or "1". The byte is eight | | | | software, and watch the result box with the |
| bits. Example of a byte and bits are the | | | | result that show the size of the file and how |
| following:bit= 0 or 1byte=8 bits1 | | | | many seconds it tool to download.When you are |
| byte=10011101 (eight bits)A single charcter | | | | done recording the download speed, upload a |
| needs one byte or eight bits to be stored in | | | | file of a specific size (1 Mb, 2 Mb), and |
| a computer. So, when the data rate is 1 | | | | time your watch when you start. When the |
| byte/sec, that means one character per second | | | | file is uploaded, check your watch and record |
| is the rate at which data is transferred | | | | the time it took for the task. Then divide |
| through your connection.This is very slow, | | | | your file size by the seconds it took.If you |
| and only intended for an example. In order to | | | | file was 2 Mb. that took 5 minutes to upload, |
| browse the internet, you must have at least a | | | | then your upload speed is 2 Mb./300 sec. or |
| dial up access with a 56kb/s modem, in order | | | | 6.826 Kbits/sec.You can run the above test |
| to get a meaningful and practical | | | | couple times, and then take the average for a |
| result.There are different types of internet | | | | better result.2-The automated test at a third |
| connection. First they introduced the dialup | | | | party service:This is my preferred one, where |
| connection using your phone line, then the | | | | you get to a website where the test is done |
| broadband was introduced.The broadband | | | | for you. It is done using a script installed |
| internet connections are DSL, Cable, or | | | | on their server, and letting you download and |
| Satellite internet services. They are widely | | | | upload to their server a test file (invisible |
| used and expanding due to the high | | | | to you). Then, the result is displayed on |
| bandwith.When you get an internet service, | | | | their webpage. You just have to register for |
| your provider states that your speed will be | | | | free using your email. It is free. This is |
| a certain numbers. They usually give you a | | | | a website address where they offer you a free |
| good idea, but not an exact one. The common | | | | internet connection test: summary, don't |
| asked questions | | | | settle for numbers given to you by your |
| | | | services, do the tests whenever you can. You |
| among internet users is:How do I know what | | | | enjoy it, and feel that you are getting your |
| is my connection speed, and if I am getting | | | | money worth. This is because some servcies |
| what I was promised?.If there anyway I can | | | | charges you 35 dollars or more for a high |
| test my connection, and do I need to buy | | | | speed internet service.Thanks, |
| expensive software to test it?.The answer is | | | | |
| simple. There are two ways to test your | | | | George ChamounI have created an Ebook about |
| internet connection speed:1- The manual | | | | troubleshooting procedures for DSL, or Cable |
| simple calculation test that you can do | | | | connection problems. |
| yourself without any software or third party | | | | |