buzz_ny
June 23rd, 2002, 04:08 PM
A user asked:
did a test at dslreport, which indicated a 1324kbps/215kbps result. A current download I have running, with no uploads, shows a 5.5kbps speed. Given the test result, what should I set my bandwidth limits to?? The more I try to figure it out, the more confused I get!
Here's an explanation using the example, as well as some notes on ISDN and Dial Up users:
FIRST: Know your real speed. Run the test a few times at different times. It may be faster or slower at different times of the day; any one single test may be off. Is this about what you are promised for max speeds? If not, test again or run the Tweaks at DSLreports to enhance speed.
DOWNLOAD BANDWIDTH: 1324 kbitsps / 8 bits per byte = 165 KBYTESps. Conventional wisdom says use 95% of that, though if you are surfing the web at the same time you may want to use a little less. So in this example, set download bandwidth to 155KBps or so.
UPLOAD BANDWIDTH: 215 kpbs / 8 bits per byte = 26.9 KBps. WinMX says use 85% of that. So in this example, set download bandwidth to 22KBps.
MAX UPLOADS: If you have a primary connection, you are supporting the network (searches and secondary peer connections) to the tune of about 5-7KB out (max). (See "WinMX Peer Network" tab.). So in the example there is 15+KB for left for uploads from your peers. I would allow 4KB per upload, or about 4 uploads in this example. That allows some 56kers to move along at 2-4KB, and some speedier downloads for Cable or faster users.
ISDN: A line that is 64k up should use a secondary connection, leaving the full 8KBps for uploads. MAX UPLOADS OF 2-3 USERS.
DIALUP USERS: Your upload speed is 33kps up at best - or 4KBps. MAX UPLOADS OF 1 USER.
MAX DOWNLOADS: Max Downloads is only relevant on a slow line, or if you queue up a lot of stuff. If you allocate each one 10-15KBps, in this example, the user would set Max Downloads at 10-15.
ISDN: If you have a 128kpbs download speed, that's 16KBps. Allowing 4-6KPS each, set Max Downloads at 3-4 slots.
DIAL-UP: 56kpbs (max) is 7KBPS. You should allocate at least 2KBps per download, so Max Downloads should be 2-3, or less depending on actual speed.
These may be lower than you expect , but keep in mind how the network functions. The servers are going in and out of the network, so the goal is to MINIMIZE TOTAL ELAPSED DOWNLOAD TIME to ENHANCE COMPLETION RATES. More slots means longer downloads means more failed downloads. There is no advantage to using more slots, given how well queueing works on WinMX.
Try these for a while and see how they work for you.
______________
DSLreports is great for broadband users! WinMX 3.2 rocks, too.
did a test at dslreport, which indicated a 1324kbps/215kbps result. A current download I have running, with no uploads, shows a 5.5kbps speed. Given the test result, what should I set my bandwidth limits to?? The more I try to figure it out, the more confused I get!
Here's an explanation using the example, as well as some notes on ISDN and Dial Up users:
FIRST: Know your real speed. Run the test a few times at different times. It may be faster or slower at different times of the day; any one single test may be off. Is this about what you are promised for max speeds? If not, test again or run the Tweaks at DSLreports to enhance speed.
DOWNLOAD BANDWIDTH: 1324 kbitsps / 8 bits per byte = 165 KBYTESps. Conventional wisdom says use 95% of that, though if you are surfing the web at the same time you may want to use a little less. So in this example, set download bandwidth to 155KBps or so.
UPLOAD BANDWIDTH: 215 kpbs / 8 bits per byte = 26.9 KBps. WinMX says use 85% of that. So in this example, set download bandwidth to 22KBps.
MAX UPLOADS: If you have a primary connection, you are supporting the network (searches and secondary peer connections) to the tune of about 5-7KB out (max). (See "WinMX Peer Network" tab.). So in the example there is 15+KB for left for uploads from your peers. I would allow 4KB per upload, or about 4 uploads in this example. That allows some 56kers to move along at 2-4KB, and some speedier downloads for Cable or faster users.
ISDN: A line that is 64k up should use a secondary connection, leaving the full 8KBps for uploads. MAX UPLOADS OF 2-3 USERS.
DIALUP USERS: Your upload speed is 33kps up at best - or 4KBps. MAX UPLOADS OF 1 USER.
MAX DOWNLOADS: Max Downloads is only relevant on a slow line, or if you queue up a lot of stuff. If you allocate each one 10-15KBps, in this example, the user would set Max Downloads at 10-15.
ISDN: If you have a 128kpbs download speed, that's 16KBps. Allowing 4-6KPS each, set Max Downloads at 3-4 slots.
DIAL-UP: 56kpbs (max) is 7KBPS. You should allocate at least 2KBps per download, so Max Downloads should be 2-3, or less depending on actual speed.
These may be lower than you expect , but keep in mind how the network functions. The servers are going in and out of the network, so the goal is to MINIMIZE TOTAL ELAPSED DOWNLOAD TIME to ENHANCE COMPLETION RATES. More slots means longer downloads means more failed downloads. There is no advantage to using more slots, given how well queueing works on WinMX.
Try these for a while and see how they work for you.
______________
DSLreports is great for broadband users! WinMX 3.2 rocks, too.