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Lately when downloading large files from the internet, commonly streaming a video or downloading a large application the transfer speed starts out good - maybe 300-400 kilobytes/second. Then over time (next 15, 30 seconds) it slows down to at little as 75 kilobytes/second. Running a speed test often comes back with good results, but the speed test is done over such a short period of time that it seems to not be a real world test case.
I've heard that if this type of drop-off occurs that it's most likely a router problem. Can you guys confirm or deny this assertion?
In either case, what types of things should I look at to diagnose and resolve this?
Some info about my network:
cable broadband
fairly new Linkysys wifi router
devices experiencing this problem include iPad, iMac, and Apple TV.
What is "cable DSL"? If it's over a phone line, it's probably DSL. If it's over a coaxial cable like cable TV, it's probably cable broadband service. – Spiff – 2010-09-21T05:13:52.767
"...but the speed test is done over such a short period of time that it seems to not be a real world test case." Not to mention that those speed tests report the absolute peak speed reached, however briefly it occurred. Watch the tests in action and decide whether you believe the final numbers. They're ISP-serving tests and totally bogus. – JRobert – 2010-09-21T10:45:42.807
@Spiff - yeah I guess you're right, it's cable broadband, not DSL – Marplesoft – 2010-09-21T17:16:02.107
@JRobert - good point - do you know of a test that will show true transfer speed over time and not just peak speed? – Marplesoft – 2010-09-21T17:16:41.667
I wish I did. At this point I resort to watching the test take place and sort of mentally averaging it. If I really needed the information, I guess I'd try to figure out the size of the file they send and then time it. – JRobert – 2010-09-21T23:57:40.517