How to Test DSL Speed
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service is a low-cost, high-speed data connection provided by telephone companies and other Internet service providers (ISPs) as an entry-level broadband connection for consumers. DSL service is often advertised with a maximum download speed, though the speed varies considerably depending on several factors.
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Instructions
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Open a web browser. Many DSL speed tests are web-based, and are compatible with most current browsers. Windows-based browsers like Internet Explorer and Chrome work well, as do Safari and Firefox on Mac OS X. Linux users may also be able to use browsers like Firefox to run DSL speed tests.
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Browse to a speed test server like DSLReports.com. There are a variety of DSL speed testing services on the Internet, but large data companies like AT&T, Sprint and Verizon generally rely on DSLReports.com for accurate, fast and easy-to-read speed test results.
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Click on the "Speed Tests" tab. When the index page at DSLReports.com fully loads, there will be a plethora of information, news stories and Internet testing tools. For testing DSL speed, select the tab near the top of the page labeled "Speed Tests."
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Click on the selection, "Flash 8 plugin based speed test." The speed test server supports a variety of speed tests, all designed to test a specific type of data connection. For most DSL users, the "Flash 8 plugin based speed test" should be honed to reflect accurate speed test results. Other selections on the page are designed for use with more commercial-grade services like Frame Relay and Fiber, or mobile devices like the Palm Treo or Apple iPhone.
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Select an available speed test server. After selecting the "Flash 8 plugin based speed test" option, the website will display a list of several available speed test servers. Some servers, identified with a red line, may be in use by other testers. Select a server represented with a green line, keeping in mind that geographically closer servers will likely return more favorable (higher speed) results.
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Allow the test to finish. As the test is conducted, the speed test server will download a small file to your computer, then upload the file again in order to test speed in both directions. This file is innocuous and will not harm your computer, so do not cancel the test when the download begins. As the file is transferred, a speedometer-style gauge will reflect the transfer speed, and may vary somewhat as the file is transferred.
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Evaluate the results. After the file has been transferred in both directions, three numbers will be displayed: A download speed, an upload speed, and a latency measure. The download speed is the number of kilobits per second that are sent to your computer from the server; a result of "1024 Kb/s" equates to a speed of one megabit per second (1MBps). The second number, the upload speed, is read the same way and represents the speed at which files and other input can be sent from your computer to a server on the Internet; this number is generally a bit lower than the download speed, as most casual users have little need for fast upload speeds. The last result, the latency speed, represents the time the server took to respond; results of 75 milliseconds (75ms) or lower are typical latency results.
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Tips & Warnings
For higher speed results, test your connection late at night or early in the morning when fewer users share the Internet connection to your local DSL/PPP aggregator. For results that most accurately reflect your browsing experience, test the connection to several different speed test servers at times you typically use your computer (for many users, peak use time is around 8 p.m.).
