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Broadband Bandwidth .. and Higher Bandwidth Options

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Stephen Guerin

Broadband Bandwidth .. and Higher Bandwidth Options

Using your link, my home DSL which has Earthlink as ISP and Covad
providing DSL reported 709 kbps. My DSL plan is 1.5Mbps/128kbps. Cable
just came to our area and we'll probably convert.

-Steve

Robert Holmes writes:
> 1.4 Mbps via Comcast cable. Let's hope my neighbours don't start
using it.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On
Behalf
> Of Owen Densmore
> Sent: 29 December 2003 13:18
> To: The Friday Morning Complexity Coffee Group
> Subject: [FRIAM] Broadband Bandwidth .. and Higher Bandwidth Options
>
>
> Folks: I've been looking into better network performance.
>
> I first checked out my speed using one of the La Ca?ada Wireless
links:
> http://webservices.cnet.com/bandwidth/
> This gave me a 177 kbps value. Naturally this is not very precise,
but
> was at least an indication that my speeds are not very near the
touted
> 640K/256K values of my dsl plan.
>
> I then tried the second link on La Ca?ada :
> http://www.bandwidthplace.com/speedtest/
> It got a bit higher value: 183. It also suggested other providers
that
> I might try. This included Covad, a message attached. I also
started
> looking into cable, which most folks feel is better than DSL. I
> suspect this is a bit tricky because cable seems great if you are an
> early user due to the shared bandwidth model it uses: all the folks
in
> the neignborhood share a 1.5Mbps downlink and generally a 640 or so
> uplink.
>
> So my question to us is:
> - Do folks get same|better|worse bandwidth performance than I
get?

> - What technology/provider do you use?
> - Any input on how to get better bandwidth?
>
> Owen
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> > From: <[hidden email]>
> > Date: December 29, 2003 6:20:34 AM MST
> > To: <[hidden email]>
> > Subject: SmallBizManager/All Internet Now T1 Inquiry
> >
> > Hi,
> > I?ve received your inquiry for T-1 service from SmallBizManager,

and
> > I?d like to tell you what Covad has available for your location.
> >
> > ADSL TeleSoho 1.5m/384k $69.95 per month
> > Router $199.00 and a $199.00 mail in rebate on the router. And
if
> > you need 5 static IP's, it is just $10 more per month.
> > 30 Day Guarantee
> >
> > Web Space:10 MB of web space. This address would be
> > http://home.covad.net/~username. Here you can host your own website
15

> > E-mail Addresses: 15 email boxes within Covad.net Dial up Access:
> > Free while awaiting installation, 10 hours/month free after that.
> >
> > Adsl is a best effort service, there is no sla with adsl.
> > --------------------------------------------------------
> > Business Grade SDSL(TeleSpeed)
> >
> > 384k/384k $159.95
> > 768k/768k $209.95
> > 1.5m/1.5m $299.95
> >
> > 30 Day Guarantee
> >
> > Web Space :10 MB of web space. This address would be
> > http://home.covad.net/~username. Here you can host your own website
> > SLA 99.9% up time, Installation, Availability, and Performance.

We
> > promise outstanding network performance and availability, along
with
> > minimal waiting for installation and issue credits to your account
if

> > we don't deliver on that promise.
> > 15 E-mail Addresses: 15 email boxes within Covad.net
> > Dial up Access: Free while awaiting installation, 10
> > hours/month free after that.
> > Either 1 static ip on the lan
> > side of the router and nat or 5 static ips come with the
> > service.
> > Router: Netopia R4652T $359.00
> > Install $225.00
> > $434.00 Mail in Rebate
> >
> > -------------------------------------------------------
> > Business Grade T-1 service : Pricing thru 12/31/03
> >
> > is available to you at :
> > 1.5m/1.5m $599.00/mo for a one year agreement
> > 1.5m/1.5m $589.00/mo for a two year commitment
> >
> > Fractional:
> > 768/768 $529.00/mo for a one year agreement
> > 768/768 $519.00/mo for a two year commitment
> >
> > Fractional:
> > 384/384 $419.00/mo for a one year agreement
> > 384/384 $409.00/mo for a two year commitment
> >
> > Install: Free
> > 30 Day Guarantee
> > Dedicated 800 Support line for T-1 Support
> >
> > Router:Netopia 4622-XL router: $599.00 and a $75 mail-in
> > rebate: This is a Business class T1 router with integrated 8-port
> > 10//100 Base-T managed Ethernet switch, integrated CSU/DSU,

capability

> > for Network Address Translation and dynamic or static IP addressing
> >
> > 5 usable static ips included with service
> >
> > Service Level Agreement SLA: 99.99% At Covad, we stand behind our
> > promise of uncompromising quality by providing Service Level
> > Agreements on our Business-Class TeleXtend T1 access service. Be
> > confident that you truly can Connect Smarter with Covad.
> >
> > Additional Static Ip Address?s
> > 13 usable for $10.00 per month
> > 29 usable for $15.00 per month
> > 61 usable for $20.00 per month
> > 125 usable for $25.00 per month
> > 253 usable for $50.00 per month
> > --------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > We also have some great web hosting packages.
> >
> > Please call me for more details or to place your order, I look

forward

> > to speaking with you soon.
> >
> > Susan Morrison
> > Covad Internet Consultant
> > Covad Communications
> > 866-656-8757x6059
> > Eastern 8-5
>
> Owen Densmore 908 Camino Santander Santa Fe, NM 87505
> [hidden email] Cell: 505-570-0168 Home: 505-988-3787
> AIM:owendensmore http://complexityworkshop.com

http://backspaces.net

>
>
>
> ====================
> FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
> Meets Fridays 9AM @ Jane's Cafe
> Lecture schedule, archives, unsubscribe, etc.: http://www.friam.org
>
>
>
>
>
> ===========================================================FRIAM

Carl Tollander-2

Broadband Bandwidth .. and Higher Bandwidth Options

It sometimes pays to complain. Ocasionally the Qwest DSL customer database
gets screwed up. After complaining to my ISP (CNSP) last month, my DSL
speed doubled back up to what I actually bought.

carl

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]]On
Behalf Of Stephen Guerin
Sent: Monday, December 29, 2003 11:53 PM
To: The Friday Morning Complexity Coffee Group
Subject: RE: [FRIAM] Broadband Bandwidth .. and Higher Bandwidth Options

Using your link, my home DSL which has Earthlink as ISP and Covad
providing DSL reported 709 kbps. My DSL plan is 1.5Mbps/128kbps. Cable
just came to our area and we'll probably convert.

-Steve

Robert Holmes writes:
> 1.4 Mbps via Comcast cable. Let's hope my neighbours don't start
using it.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On
Behalf
> Of Owen Densmore
> Sent: 29 December 2003 13:18
> To: The Friday Morning Complexity Coffee Group
> Subject: [FRIAM] Broadband Bandwidth .. and Higher Bandwidth Options
>
>
> Folks: I've been looking into better network performance.
>
> I first checked out my speed using one of the La Ca?ada Wireless
links:
> http://webservices.cnet.com/bandwidth/
> This gave me a 177 kbps value. Naturally this is not very precise,
but
> was at least an indication that my speeds are not very near the
touted
> 640K/256K values of my dsl plan.
>
> I then tried the second link on La Ca?ada :
> http://www.bandwidthplace.com/speedtest/
> It got a bit higher value: 183. It also suggested other providers
that
> I might try. This included Covad, a message attached. I also
started
> looking into cable, which most folks feel is better than DSL. I
> suspect this is a bit tricky because cable seems great if you are an
> early user due to the shared bandwidth model it uses: all the folks
in
> the neignborhood share a 1.5Mbps downlink and generally a 640 or so
> uplink.
>
> So my question to us is:
> - Do folks get same|better|worse bandwidth performance than I
get?

We
> > promise outstanding network performance and availability, along
with
> > minimal waiting for installation and issue credits to your account
if

capability

forward

http://backspaces.net

Applied Complexity Group listserv
> Meets Fridays 9AM @ Jane's Cafe
> Lecture schedule, archives, unsubscribe, etc.:
> http://www.friam.org
>
>

____________________________________________________
http://www.redfish.com [hidden email]
624 Agua Fria Street office: (505)995-0206
Santa Fe, NM 87501 mobile: (505)577-5828

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9AM @ Jane's Cafe
Lecture schedule, archives, unsubscribe, etc.:
http://www.friam.org

Roger Critchlow-2

Broadband Bandwidth .. and Higher Bandwidth Options

In reply to this post by Stephen Guerin

I don't know guys, I keep reading between the lines on Slashdot, and it
sounds to me as if
the Comcast bandwidth plan is to cancel the service of the top N
percentile so that the 100-N
percentile gets better than 56Kbps. Enjoy the bandwidth while they'll
let you use it.

I also see clauses about "best effort" in the DSL service plan
descriptions, too, so I wouldn't
take those 1.5Mbps/128kbps service plans to the bank, either.

-- rec --

Stephen Guerin wrote:

>Using your link, my home DSL which has Earthlink as ISP and Covad
>providing DSL reported 709 kbps. My DSL plan is 1.5Mbps/128kbps. Cable
>just came to our area and we'll probably convert.
>
>-Steve
>
>
>
>
>

Joe Spinden

Broadband Bandwidth .. and Higher Bandwidth Options

In reply to this post by Carl Tollander-2

I also had a technical problem recently with earthlink in Santa Fe:
for a few hours my connection was repeatedly dropped. After contacting
earthlink technical support, they determined the problem was due to low
signal strength & somehow boosted the signal somewhere on the chain to my
house, eliminating the problem.
-- all very mysterious to me with my limited EE technical
knowledge/understanding, but it appears to have worked !!

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf
Of Carl Tollander
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 12:57 AM
To: [hidden email]; The Friday Morning Complexity Coffee Group
Subject: RE: [FRIAM] Broadband Bandwidth .. and Higher Bandwidth Options

It sometimes pays to complain. Ocasionally the Qwest DSL customer database
gets screwed up. After complaining to my ISP (CNSP) last month, my DSL
speed doubled back up to what I actually bought.

carl

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]]On
Behalf Of Stephen Guerin
Sent: Monday, December 29, 2003 11:53 PM
To: The Friday Morning Complexity Coffee Group
Subject: RE: [FRIAM] Broadband Bandwidth .. and Higher Bandwidth Options

Using your link, my home DSL which has Earthlink as ISP and Covad
providing DSL reported 709 kbps. My DSL plan is 1.5Mbps/128kbps. Cable
just came to our area and we'll probably convert.

-Steve

Robert Holmes writes:
> 1.4 Mbps via Comcast cable. Let's hope my neighbours don't start
using it.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On
Behalf
> Of Owen Densmore
> Sent: 29 December 2003 13:18
> To: The Friday Morning Complexity Coffee Group
> Subject: [FRIAM] Broadband Bandwidth .. and Higher Bandwidth Options
>
>
> Folks: I've been looking into better network performance.
>
> I first checked out my speed using one of the La Ca?ada Wireless
links:
> http://webservices.cnet.com/bandwidth/
> This gave me a 177 kbps value. Naturally this is not very precise,
but
> was at least an indication that my speeds are not very near the
touted
> 640K/256K values of my dsl plan.
>
> I then tried the second link on La Ca?ada :
> http://www.bandwidthplace.com/speedtest/
> It got a bit higher value: 183. It also suggested other providers
that
> I might try. This included Covad, a message attached. I also
started
> looking into cable, which most folks feel is better than DSL. I
> suspect this is a bit tricky because cable seems great if you are an
> early user due to the shared bandwidth model it uses: all the folks
in
> the neignborhood share a 1.5Mbps downlink and generally a 640 or so
> uplink.
>
> So my question to us is:
> - Do folks get same|better|worse bandwidth performance than I
get?

We
> > promise outstanding network performance and availability, along
with
> > minimal waiting for installation and issue credits to your account
if

capability

forward

http://backspaces.net

Owen Densmore

Broadband Bandwidth .. and Higher Bandwidth Options

Administrator

More news on my front:

- Turns out I had a 256/256 account rather than the 640/256 that
I thought I had! So my numbers were what you'd expect. I've put
in an upgrade request which should take effect next week.

- I called CyberMesa, my really excellent ISP for my DSL service,
and found out that Quest is scoring really high on their bandwidth
and pricing. The 256/256 account is only $15 when you use your own
ISP, and I like CyberMesa so much I don't want to loose them. Their
chief tech told me that Quest is working on other technologies that
promise 1.5M for reasonable prices; and may even include VoiP, which
they are trying in Minneapolis trials now.

- To get cleaner numbers, I created a better test:
- I built a megabyte file of random bytes (so no compression
stunts would give false data)
- I ran upload/download tests of that file to backspaces.net.
- Results are close to the advertised 256/256 .. and oddly enough
was faster uploading to backspaces by just a bit!
The script is attached if you are interested. I simply use a
test account and use the commandline ftp program which gives pretty
good statistics. I also tried compressing the file to see if my
random stunt worked and the file is not compressable. (Neither
gzip or compress utilities could squeeze out more bytes so the
file is a good test.) Program attached.

Owen Densmore 908 Camino Santander Santa Fe, NM 87505
[hidden email] Cell: 505-570-0168 Home: 505-988-3787
AIM:owendensmore http://complexityworkshop.com http://backspaces.net

#!/bin/sh

echo "Download Test"
ftp -i -n -v backspaces.net << EOF
user [hidden email] r00tbeer
get mbyte
EOF

echo "Upload Test"
ftp -i -n -v backspaces.net << EOF
user [hidden email] r00tbeer
put mbyte
EOF

Results (edited):
Upload Test
227 Entering Passive Mode (64,62,164,98,119,102)
150 Accepted data connection
100% |*************************************| 1024 KB 28.19 KB/s
00:00 ETA
226-File successfully transferred
226 38.617 seconds (measured here), 26.52 Kbytes per second
1048576 bytes sent in 00:38 (26.51 KB/s)

Download Test
227 Entering Passive Mode (64,62,164,98,39,0)
150-Accepted data connection
150 1024.0 kbytes to download
100% |*************************************| 1024 KB 24.05 KB/s
00:00 ETA
226-File successfully transferred
226 39.872 seconds (measured here), 25.68 Kbytes per second
1048576 bytes received in 00:42 (24.05 KB/s)

-rw-r--r-- 1 owen wheel 1048576 29 Dec 22:08 mbyte
-rw-r--r-- 1 owen wheel 1048760 29 Dec 22:08 mbyte.gz

Shell script to create mbyte file:

#!/bin/sh

cd /tmp
cat <<EOF> test.java
import java.io.*;
import java.util.*;
class test {
public static void main (String args[]) {
try {
FileOutputStream fos = new FileOutputStream("/tmp/mbyte");
DataOutputStream dos = new DataOutputStream(fos);
Random r = new Random();
byte[] data = new byte [1024*1024];
r.nextBytes(data);
dos.write(data,0,data.length);
} catch (Exception e) {System.out.println(e);}
}
}
EOF
javac test.java
java test