DSL Connection Speed Tests: How to test DSL Speed

Digital subscriber loop, also referred to as DSL or xDSL, transmits digital data over the wires of local telephone network. It was later renamed as digital subscriber line. It is a high-speed, low-cost connection for data, provided by Internet service providers and telephone companies.

DSL uses the same line for telephone as well as for transmitting digital data. High frequency bands are required for transmitting digital data while for telephone, less frequency bands are required. Depending on DSL technology, service level implementation and line conditions, the download speed ranges from 256 kilobits per second to 24,000 kilobits per second. Upload speed is lower than the download speed. DSL speed test can be done manually as well as using a website. Both the methods are briefed below.

Steps to Test DSL Speed

Below mentioned are steps to test DSL speed:

• Websites are available to test DSL speed. These websites are simpatico with the available browsers. Before you start, check your DSL Internet connection speed.
• Browse the speed test server website like DSLReports, Speed Test, Speakeasy, etc. in any available web browser. The websites are fast, reliable, accurate and easy to use.
• There will be a number of menus available on the home page of the websites like news, information, Internet testing tools, speed test, etc. Click on tab 'Speed Tests'.
• Click on 'Flash 8 plugin based speed test'.
• After selecting 'Flash 8 plugin based speed test' tab, a number of speed test servers will be displayed by the website. Servers that are in use by other testers will be marked in red; while the others will be marked in green. Select the one marked in green. While selecting the test server, choose the one which is geographically closer to you so that you get the accurate results.
• After the test is initiated, the test server will download a file to your computer. You will also have to upload a file so that it can check both upload and download speeds. The file which is being downloaded does not have any adverse effects on the computer and hence it is advisable not to cancel the downloading of the file.
• As the transfer of the file starts, a speedometer style gauge will display the speed of transfer and may vary while the file is being transferred. The speedometer works as a DSL speed checker.
• After the file transfer is over, the download speed, upload speed and the latency will be displayed. The download speed indicates the number of bits transferred per second to your computer from the server, while the upload speed indicates the number of bits transferred from your computer to the server. Latency is the time taken by the server to respond.

Below mentioned are steps to perform Internet DSL speed test manually:

• To find out the DSL download speed test, download any free software or file from the Internet. Check the result box to know the size of the file and the time it took to download. Divide the size of the file by the number of seconds it took to download. The result is the speed in kilobits per second.
• For calculating DSL upload speed test, upload a file and follow the procedure mentioned above. For getting accurate results about DSL connection speed test, calculate the average of download and upload speed.

With the steps mentioned above, you can perform DSL speed test yourself, either manually or with the help of a website and estimate the time required for downloading or uploading a file. After knowing the speed you can also work on increasing the speed of DSL.