Download speed vs. throughput

[Kevin68]

Tech question. I have Starlink internet. Speed test (ookla) shows 85Mbps down and 16 up. Starlink speed test shows 145 down and 25 up (not surprised Elon exaggerates the speed). On the Starlink app, it's showing the throughput at 1 Mbps while downloading a file.

Is that low throughput due to internet traffic, lack of capacity on the website I'm downloading from, or due to a hardware issue on my end (I'm connected to CAT6 ethernet cable)? It's a moderately trafficked State database I'm downloading from and the file sizes range from 15 to 80 MB.

[the new me]

Definite possibility that the server for the database is putting things out kind of slowly. Many possible reasons why that could be.

You could do a tracert to domain name or IP address and see how the overall routing between you and the server is doing.

Are you using a VPN?

As far as Starlink, I use it and it has been very fast. But your installation may differ. Mine sees 100% of the sky. I bypass the Starlink router so I can't comment on the Starlink router itself, though unless yours has some issue I wouldn't tend to blame speed problems on the Starlink router.

[Humanoid 3.0]

Are you testing the speed hardwired at the modem, or via WiFi?

[LATB]

Tech question

I'm out. :rofl:

[dvarapala]

Is that low throughput due to internet traffic, lack of capacity on the website I'm downloading from, or due to a hardware issue on my end (I'm connected to CAT6 ethernet cable)? It's a moderately trafficked State database I'm downloading from and the file sizes range from 15 to 80 MB.

If you're on a hardwired Ethernet between your computer and your satellite modem, then the bottleneck is outside your premises. Given that it is a State database, I'm guessing it's a State-run website and probably doesn't have the most competent IT staff. ;)

You can try downloading similarly sized files from other sites (e.g. Google Drive) and comparing your D/L speeds. :yesnod:

[Swany00]

that's not too bad, when we had Viasat, they claimed 100 dl and we barely got 12....

[Humanoid 3.0]

If you're on a hardwired Ethernet between your computer and your satellite modem, then the bottleneck is outside your premises. Given that it is a State database, I'm guessing it's a State-run website and probably doesn't have the most competent IT staff. ;)

You can try downloading similarly sized files from other sites (e.g. Google Drive) and comparing your D/L speeds. :yesnod:

They probably "gate" the download speed and save the taxpayers money by not paying for a higher bandwidth connection.

[Over140mph]

Speedtest involves going thru the Starlink network then takes a couple hops to a Speedtest server. Try selecting a server nearer to your location.

The Starlink test is probably a direct link test from your unit to the satellite. I'd expect this to be superfast compared to anything else.

[Kevin68]

Apologies for the serious post. You may resume the nonsense/trolling/bloviating/bickering.

Definite possibility that the server for the database is putting things out kind of slowly. Many possible reasons why that could be.

You could do a tracert to domain name or IP address and see how the overall routing between you and the server is doing.

Are you using a VPN?

As far as Starlink, I use it and it has been very fast. But your installation may differ. Mine sees 100% of the sky. I bypass the Starlink router so I can't comment on the Starlink router itself, though unless yours has some issue I wouldn't tend to blame speed problems on the Starlink router.

Mine is fast too and I have 100% sky coverage. No VPN for this...I do have a VPN for the connection to the company server. I only plugged in because it appears my wifi card/adapter appears to have failed.

You lost me at the Tracert. I will look into it if I have future problems...see below

Are you testing the speed hardwired at the modem, or via WiFi?

Wifi speed, but that is a good point.

I'm out. :rofl:

Thnaks

If you're on a hardwired Ethernet between your computer and your satellite modem, then the bottleneck is outside your premises. Given that it is a State database, I'm guessing it's a State-run website and probably doesn't have the most competent IT staff. ;)

You can try downloading similarly sized files from other sites (e.g. Google Drive) and comparing your D/L speeds. :yesnod:

I just downloaded the same file and it took ~1 second vs 9 minutes earlier. Tried a 30 MB file and is was ~2 seconds. I think it was a traffic/website issue. It's a GIS interactive database. Ookla speeds at 115 down and 28.5 up, not enough to explain the difference.

that's not too bad, when we had Viasat, they claimed 100 dl and we barely got 12....

Starlink is pricey but has been awesome for everything we've needed (no gaming)

They probably "gate" the download speed and save the taxpayers money by not paying for a higher bandwidth connection.

As noted, super fast downloads now. Not a fan of gov't programs but this one has saved my clients hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years and undoubtedly saved taxpayers more than it cost.

Speedtest involves going thru the Starlink network then takes a couple hops to a Speedtest server. Try selecting a server nearer to your location.

The Starlink test is probably a direct link test from your unit to the satellite. I'd expect this to be superfast compared to anything else.

As far as I know, there is no way for me to choose a different server which is annoying because most location services think I'm in Dallas when I'm 230 miles SW.

[BayouCountry]

Tech question. I have Starlink internet. Speed test (ookla) shows 85Mbps down and 16 up. Starlink speed test shows 145 down and 25 up (not surprised Elon exaggerates the speed). On the Starlink app, it's showing the throughput at 1 Mbps while downloading a file.

Is that low throughput due to internet traffic, lack of capacity on the website I'm downloading from, or due to a hardware issue on my end (I'm connected to CAT6 ethernet cable)? It's a moderately trafficked State database I'm downloading from and the file sizes range from 15 to 80 MB.

I’ll defer to DataWiz or Ken. But I will ask one question. What is the download speed from other sites besides a government host? What is your download speed from Prime or Netflix?

[Frankie the Fink]

I don't have Starlink but various speed measuring tools can give far ranging results for one thing. And often the setup on the site where downloads occur can throttle the stream or have its own problems...

And then if your router has certain things configured like QOS (Quality of Service) it can cramp your speed, severely in some cases...and skew speed measurements.

Then if you use a VPN speeds can be dramatically different depending on the implementation.

My Oocla external speed test and my EEROS router test are very close at approx 479mbps download and 12 mbps upload..

The Starlink app may have its own issues because that figure is abysmal for throughput.

[bsmith]

If you're on a hardwired Ethernet between your computer and your satellite modem, then the bottleneck is outside your premises. Given that it is a State database, I'm guessing it's a State-run website and probably doesn't have the most competent IT staff. ;)

You can try downloading similarly sized files from other sites (e.g. Google Drive) and comparing your D/L speeds. :yesnod:

no shit.
I have to access a state server and you have to renew credentials regularly.
It took over a week and talking to two different people that gave me two COMPLETELY different answers on what was being done.
Finally got access back, and they publish the download on an ftp site...that I could not log into anymore either.
I figured out that for some reason they black-listed my IP and we had to get the data by being creative.

I've been doing this for about 4 years, and everytime it is a new shitshow.

city/county/state servers are sloooow, besides the fact the people don't know wtf they are doing.

[Frankie the Fink]

Just for the record, gov't sites are super paranoid because they've had soooo many failures and security breaches, DOJ, VA, OPM and on and on. Some attacks, like DDOS (Distributed Denial of Service) means packet inspection and other security measures slow things down...

And some of the stuff they don't talk about is scary...

[Vandelay Industries]

Apologies for the serious post. You may resume the nonsense/trolling/bloviating/bickering.


* useless drivel

[NoOne]

Latency.

Throughput doesn't matter if you have high latency in between packets.

[Kevin68]

Latency.

Throughput doesn't matter if you have high latency in between packets.

Starlink has latency at 24 ms, Ookla has ping rates of 41, 52 down 42 up and 10ms jitter. Not sure what the symbol next to the 41 is or what jitter is. I assume latency and ping rate is the same thing.

Same site this morning is slower than last night, but much faster than yesterday afternoon. Throughput this morning is 11-15 Mbps. I'm thinking it is a traffic problem during the work day. Word of the site has gotten out and I regularly hear of non-technical people accessing it (and getting information they know nothing about...but think they do).

[Kevin68]

I don't have Starlink but various speed measuring tools can give far ranging results for one thing. And often the setup on the site where downloads occur can throttle the stream or have its own problems...

And then if your router has certain things configured like QOS (Quality of Service) it can cramp your speed, severely in some cases...and skew speed measurements.

Then if you use a VPN speeds can be dramatically different depending on the implementation.

My Oocla external speed test and my EEROS router test are very close at approx 479mbps download and 12 mbps upload..

The Starlink app may have its own issues because that figure is abysmal for throughput.

Starlink has it's own router that's non-configurable as far as I know. Since none of the settings have changed, I don't have a VPN, and my download times seem to be related to working or non-working hours, I'm inclined to think the problem is on their end. I can stream video content and video chat without issue.

[Swany00]

not that bad of a price if it delivers what it says (latency could be the biggest issue). We were fortunate enough to get 5g which significantly improved our web speeds but our friends who are only 10 miles away can only get satellite and are now going with Starlink.

[Frankie the Fink]

Starlink has it's own router that's non-configurable as far as I know. Since none of the settings have changed, I don't have a VPN, and my download times seem to be related to working or non-working hours, I'm inclined to think the problem is on their end. I can stream video content and video chat without issue.

People overestimate the throughput required to stream video, its really not much in a single stream household 10mbps will do it nicely, a bit more for 4K Hi-Def but yes, I've managed more than a few gov't websites and trying to scale for peak usage is big task....

You have to decide how much hardware you throw at something for a short term benefit. The DOJ Grant Management System is one, during grant application season the site gets nuked by customers....

Almost everybody now has overkill for the average household POTENTIAL speed, if the ISP throttles it, or the site involved has servicing issues, that's a separate problem.

[Humanoid 3.0]

25Mbps will get you 4K streaming, you can stream HD on 5Mbps, but in both cases you probably want to have double that rate to avoid any buffering and if you have other devices sharing the bandwidth. The rate won't be fixed, depends on what you are watching, so it will vary constantly. Watching the evening news, less bandwidth, watching a fast action movie, more bandwidth.

[Mike Mercury]

when I had fiber optic installed, the tech ran all speed tests with my PC directly connected to their box. He did not do any speed testing through my ethernet router.

[bsmith]

when I had fiber optic installed, the tech ran all speed tests with my PC directly connected to their box. He did not do any speed testing through my ethernet router.

anything beyond their box is your responsibility.

my FIL just got fiber to the home and is supposed to get 1gbps, and was disappointed to see 200mbps over wifi.

[Frankie the Fink]

I have to laugh and devolve into 'old codger' mode....I remember when 100 mbps was considered 'carrier class' speeds and you could run large banks, an industry or other large enterprise with that much bandwideht.

[Kevin68]

not that bad of a price if it delivers what it says (latency could be the biggest issue). We were fortunate enough to get 5g which significantly improved our web speeds but our friends who are only 10 miles away can only get satellite and are now going with Starlink.

We thought we would end up with 4 or 5G internet, but I got a notification that my Starlink had shipped as we were signing the final closing papers with the builder. I hardwired the house (12 connections) so I didn't have any wifi loss through walls for TVs and computers because we had no idea when the SL would ship or if it worked as advertised. I also put in 4 PoE wifi adapters. The wifi router that came with SL does a good job throughout most of the house, but on the far ends of the house and back porch the PoE adapters are a helpful boost.

My neighbors all advised against the normal satellite or line-of sight options, which were 25Mbps max download (they were getting 5-10), data limited and about the same price as SL. It is by far the best rural internet option and has gotten better as time passed. Started out getting 40-80 down and now I regularly see speeds over 100 and as fast at 250. Rarely below 80.

[Kevin68]

...I've managed more than a few gov't websites and trying to scale for peak usage is big task....

You have to decide how much hardware you throw at something for a short term benefit.

Not throwing anything at it unless something on my end isn't working right. I fully retire at the end of the year and if I need big files I have an office full of employees who can download for me and I can get it off the company server through an ftp or my VPN connection to the server.

...if the ISP throttles it, or the site involved has servicing issues, that's a separate problem.

SL says they don't throttle you until you download more than a TB in a month although I'm sure speeds slow when the network is busy.

After trying the site at a few different times of the day I think it is a servicing issue during peak usage time.

[Over140mph]

Yo Kev, go to https://www.speedtest.net/

It automatically selects and does ping tests to your nearest server.

I'm curious what server it will select since you're effectively using the satellite as the intermediary? It might pick Dallas but who knows..

[the new me]

I have to laugh and devolve into 'old codger' mode....I remember when 100 mbps was considered 'carrier class' speeds and you could run large banks, an industry or other large enterprise with that much bandwideht.

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[dvarapala]

Latency.

Throughput doesn't matter if you have high latency in between packets.

For twitch games yes. For bulk file transfers not so much. In the latter case the sender will pipeline up to a full window's worth of packets before stopping to get an ACK. And the window size is constantly adapting to network conditions.

[Kevin68]

Yo Kev, go to https://www.speedtest.net/

It automatically selects and does ping tests to your nearest server.

I'm curious what server it will select since you're effectively using the satellite as the intermediary? It might pick Dallas but who knows..

I already have that app on my phone and desktop. It selects different servers, but they are always in Dallas.

[Swany00]

We thought we would end up with 4 or 5G internet, but I got a notification that my Starlink had shipped as we were signing the final closing papers with the builder. I hardwired the house (12 connections) so I didn't have any wifi loss through walls for TVs and computers because we had no idea when the SL would ship or if it worked as advertised. I also put in 4 PoE wifi adapters. The wifi router that came with SL does a good job throughout most of the house, but on the far ends of the house and back porch the PoE adapters are a helpful boost.

My neighbors all advised against the normal satellite or line-of sight options, which were 25Mbps max download (they were getting 5-10), data limited and about the same price as SL. It is by far the best rural internet option and has gotten better as time passed. Started out getting 40-80 down and now I regularly see speeds over 100 and as fast at 250. Rarely below 80.

That's impressive, I'll ask my buddy what they are getting when they get theirs installed. They had Hughes net and that was an absolute joke and pricy.

[Frankie the Fink]

Yo Kev, go to https://www.speedtest.net/

It automatically selects and does ping tests to your nearest server.

I'm curious what server it will select since you're effectively using the satellite as the intermediary? It might pick Dallas but who knows..

That's Oookla speedtest which he has already run....per his post.

[Over140mph]

That's Oookla speedtest which he has already run....per his post.


Well, duh, Dallas it is