[OPLIN 4cast] OPLIN 4Cast #172: Got Speed?

[Bobbi Galvin]

*OPLIN 4Cast #172: Got Speed?*
April 8, 2010


  /4casting technologies that could have an impact on public libraries./

As we mentioned in the latest OPLIN CIRCUIT 
<http://oplin.org/2010-issues>, line speed tests don't work the way you 
want them to work.  If you notice slow connectivity on your line, and 
you're like most good techs, you try to find the reason for the 
slowdown.  You hunt for bad switches or network cards and when you're 
confident your equipment is working properly, you call us, armed with 
speed test evidence.  Save yourself some time, skip the speed test, and 
just call the OPLIN Support Center.  We're here to help you!

The FCC launched a speed test too 
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-296810A1.pdf>l 
that consumers can use to test service or report to the FCC where 
broadband isn't available.  But just because it's from the federal 
government doesn't mean it's perfect.  Yes, it will tell you if your 
line is slower than broadband specs say it should be, but it won't tell 
you where the slowdowns are or what's causing them, and those ares the 
missing links.

    * Cable ISPs: new broadband test makes our service look slow
      <http://arstechnica.com/telecom/news/2010/03/cable-isps-new-broadband-test-makes-our-service-look-slow.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss>
    * FCC Relying on Faulty ISP Performance Data from comScore
      <http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/59354?hpg1=bn>

The key is to find out what's causing the slowdown of your network.  
Here are some starting points:

    * WinMTR <http://www.snapfiles.com/get/winmtr.html> (for Windows)
      and MTR ( for Linux) is free and it combines the functionality of
      the `traceroute` and `ping` programs in a single network
      diagnostic tool. It is small and easy to use and also offers to
      copy the results to the clipboard in text or HTML format.   No
      installation required.   With this tool, you can see exactly which
      hops are slowing down your network.
    * Wireshark <http://www.wireshark.org/> is also free and open source
      (runs runs on various Unix-like operating systems including Linux,
      Mac,  and Windows)  and it monitors actual traffic (as opposed to
      WinMTR, which tests the path the traffic takes).  In other words,
      Wireshark let's you know which PC is transferring the largest and
      the most packets.  This could be an indicator of a chatty network
      card or a misbehaving PC.  Wireshark does have a learning curve,
      so here is a tutorial. <http://openmaniak.com/wireshark.php>

As always, if you have any connectivity speed issues, please contact 
OPLIN Support at 1-888-966-7546 or support at oplin.org 
<mailto:support at oplin.org>.

*/Cool fact: /*
Think you're getting what you pay for?  Five Myths About High Speed 
Internet 
<http://www.highspeedinternetdeals.com/high-speed-internet-myths.html>

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-- 
Bobbi Galvin
OPLIN Customer Relations & Support
P: 1-888-966-7546
www.oplin.org

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