How to check Download Speed

[diyhouse]

I have a pfsense (2.5.2) setup running a small Intel type PC with 4 network ports, with a old (firmware upgraded) BT/Huawei FTTC Modem,.. connected to a BT openreach Business network, which is supposed to deliver 72Mbits/second.
If I speed check my PC connection, Ubuntu web page using 'openspeedtest.com' I only get around 60Mbits/sec... Even if I connect directly to the Router distribution hub.
The 'engineer man' from BT has done all his tests and states that the connection shows their end is good for 'in the region of 72Mbits/sec',.. although he did replace the consumer connection port as there was a small in-balance in the conductor impedance.
Is there a limitation of my modem/configuration, is anyone with a similar setup able to offer their experience,.. do I need to upgrade the modem, if so any recommendations ?
many tx

[AndyRH]

You may see different results. When I speed test I watch the host network bandwidth in real time during the test. Many of the test sites start the clock, then start the traffic, stop traffic and stop the clock and do a little math. The result is 1 or 2 seconds of dead time used to calculate the speed.
The normal site I hit frequently is 10-15% lower than the peak speed shown by the host. So your test looks to be in the range of 72Mb link speed.

[diyhouse]

Many tx for the response Andy,.....
Curiously,.. does any other BT openreach PFsense user have any comparative performance checks to 'sense check' my numbers...

Additionally does anyone have any recommendations for a fttc Modem for use with BT and a PFsense box., and if possible their performance numbers.
Many Tx

[NogBadTheBad]

@diyhouse It all depends how far you are away from the nearest BT cabinet, I’m with Zen Internet and get 67 - 72 Mbps depending on the time of day.

The BT cabinet is about 20 M away from my house.

[diyhouse]

Yes,.. distance from cabinet is very much an issue,..
I'm not so close as your 20metres,.. I'd give myself about 300metres,.. and the exchange is then about 20metres from than there,.. so still pretty close in the real world,.. but should this limit my connection speed down to approx. 62Mbps....

Are there any speed checks that can be run directly from the modem?? I have an Ex BT Huawei firmware updated modem,..

When I ran with the BT HH5 modem,.. that reported 72Mbps,... or there-abouts,.. but that does not mean I necessarily believe it,...

[OpenSpeedTest]

@diyhouse Run https://go.openspeedtest.com/Server on your laptop and connect directly to your modem. Now test your LAN speed from your PC/Devices. It will show your full LAN speed.

[JKnott]

@diyhouse

Here's my latest speedtest, with pfsense running on the hardware described in my sig. This is on a 500/20 cable modem connection, so pfsense is clearly not the issue.

[stephenw10]

@diyhouse said in How to check Download Speed:

with a old (firmware upgraded) BT/Huawei FTTC Modem

Is that 'firmware upgraded' as in unlockled? In which case what is your actual line sync rate?

I'm around 250m from the cabinet and see ~72Mbps sync rate but that gives a 67Mbps line rate.

# xdslcmd info --show
xdslcmd info --show
xdslcmd: ADSL driver and PHY status
Status: Showtime
Retrain Reason:	1
Last initialization procedure status:	0
Max:	Upstream rate = 12142 Kbps, Downstream rate = 71580 Kbps
Bearer:	0, Upstream rate = 12127 Kbps, Downstream rate = 66999 Kbps
Bearer:	1, Upstream rate = 0 Kbps, Downstream rate = 0 Kbps
Link Power State:	L0
Mode:			VDSL2 Annex B
VDSL2 Profile:		Profile 17a
TPS-TC:			PTM Mode(0x0)
Trellis:		U:ON /D:ON
Line Status:		No Defect
Training Status:	Showtime
		Down		Up
SNR (dB):	 8.1		 13.0
Attn(dB):	 13.7		 0.0
Pwr(dBm):	 13.9		 3.0

Though I note my upsteam sync is in the toilet today, for some reason.

That translates to about 62Mbps measured download.

Steve