Crazy download speeds - someone explain?

[KN4995]

Hi,

I've been downloading an SQL backup file of a website's PHPBB forum.

CLICK ABOVE PIC

Even on the 1024k connection it was unfeasibly fast - obviously not right.

Now I'm on the 2MB connection and it's at this crazy speed.
This download speed went 'right' for a while and took 1min. 57 secs.
Now again, the speed is as the above pic says.
I'm getting 31MB down in around 20 seconds?!

Anyone explain why?
The file is legit - it's a bonafide 'big' file. I do not have the database stored locally, I'm going straight to a server.
Previously, my mate on the same connection as me would be getting the slow speed download, now he too is getting a crazy fast speed.
He's on baguley 5, I'm on 6 at the mo.
(/me changed manually from manc)



Cheers for any help.

What speed does this show ;

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robin.d...speedtest.html

[jonifen]

Sometimes speeds can go a little crazy from time to time.
The type of file can make a difference to file transfer also as far as I know. SQL files are actually nothing more than a text file with a different file extension when it comes down to it.
I know when I have downloaded bitmaps and large text files in the past, it has gone at ridiculous speeds, but the speed you have recorded there is a lot faster than what I was getting!!

[KN4995]

Originally Posted by Paul M

What speed does this show ;

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robin.d...speedtest.html

1st 128K took 531 ms = 246840 Bytes/sec = approx 2054 kbits/sec
2nd 128K took 531 ms = 246840 Bytes/sec = approx 2054 kbits/sec
3rd 128K took 531 ms = 246840 Bytes/sec = approx 2054 kbits/sec
4th 128K took 532 ms = 246376 Bytes/sec = approx 2050 kbits/sec
__________________

Originally Posted by jonifen

Sometimes speeds can go a little crazy from time to time.
The type of file can make a difference to file transfer also as far as I know. SQL files are actually nothing more than a text file with a different file extension when it comes down to it.
I know when I have downloaded bitmaps and large text files in the past, it has gone at ridiculous speeds, but the speed you have recorded there is a lot faster than what I was getting!!

Yep - know what you mean mate. I've downloaded silly file sizes myself.
Yes, SQL files are just a load of text.

I'm under no illusions that I'm getting quicker speeds than I should be by the way, I'm just loooking for what must be a more logical explanation!

[LemonyBrainAid]

I wish I had that speed :err:

On that speed test, I get

1st 128K took 531 ms = 246840 Bytes/sec = approx 2054 kbits/sec
2nd 128K took 531 ms = 246840 Bytes/sec = approx 2054 kbits/sec
3rd 128K took 547 ms = 239620 Bytes/sec = approx 1994 kbits/sec
4th 128K took 516 ms = 254016 Bytes/sec = approx 2113 kbits/sec

[marky]

Originally Posted by LemonyBrainAid

I wish I had that speed :err:

On that speed test, I get

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 19:47:33 UTC
1st 128K took 531 ms = 246840 Bytes/sec = approx 2054 kbits/sec
2nd 128K took 532 ms = 246376 Bytes/sec = approx 2050 kbits/sec
3rd 128K took 531 ms = 246840 Bytes/sec = approx 2054 kbits/sec
4th 128K took 531 ms = 246840 Bytes/sec = approx 2054 kbits/sec

[LemonyBrainAid]

Too bad, You got 8212 in total, I got 8215 - It was a close one :P

[marky]

4th 128K took 516 ms = 254016 Bytes/sec = approx 2113 kbits/sec

i missed that one

[GreenBars]

Even faster:

1st 128K took 453 ms = 289342 Bytes/sec = approx 2407 kbits/sec
2nd 128K took 375 ms = 349525 Bytes/sec = approx 2908 kbits/sec
3rd 128K took 484 ms = 270810 Bytes/sec = approx 2253 kbits/sec
4th 128K took 516 ms = 254016 Bytes/sec = approx 2113 kbits/sec

[Roy MM]

We can all play silly buggers

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 20:06:49 GMT
1st 128K took 31 ms = 4228129 Bytes/sec = approx 35178 kbits/sec
2nd 128K took 31 ms = 4228129 Bytes/sec = approx 35178 kbits/sec
3rd 128K took 47 ms = 2788766 Bytes/sec = approx 23203 kbits/sec
4th 128K took 47 ms = 2788766 Bytes/sec = approx 23203 kbits/sec

[LemonyBrainAid]

Originally Posted by GreenBars

Even faster:

1st 128K took 453 ms = 289342 Bytes/sec = approx 2407 kbits/sec
2nd 128K took 375 ms = 349525 Bytes/sec = approx 2908 kbits/sec
3rd 128K took 484 ms = 270810 Bytes/sec = approx 2253 kbits/sec
4th 128K took 516 ms = 254016 Bytes/sec = approx 2113 kbits/sec

You got 3 mb? And marky called me a show off

[Adi]

1st 128K took 16 ms = 8192000 Bytes/sec = approx 68157 kbits/sec
2nd 128K took 16 ms = 8192000 Bytes/sec = approx 68157 kbits/sec
3rd 128K took 312 ms = 420103 Bytes/sec = approx 3495 kbits/sec
4th 128K took 1735 ms = 75546 Bytes/sec = approx 629 kbits/sec

[MikeyB]

Originally Posted by Roy MM

We can all play silly buggers

Ah ha! Why not...

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 20:11:01 UTC
1st 128K took 0 ms = Infinity Bytes/sec = approx Infinity kbits/sec
2nd 128K took 16 ms = 8192000 Bytes/sec = approx 68157 kbits/sec
3rd 128K took 0 ms = Infinity Bytes/sec = approx Infinity kbits/sec
4th 128K took 0 ms = Infinity Bytes/sec = approx Infinity kbits/sec

Honest, thats what it said.

[GreenBars]

I'm on 2mb.
__________________

Originally Posted by MikeyB

Ah ha! Why not...

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 20:11:01 UTC
1st 128K took 0 ms = Infinity Bytes/sec = approx Infinity kbits/sec
2nd 128K took 16 ms = 8192000 Bytes/sec = approx 68157 kbits/sec
3rd 128K took 0 ms = Infinity Bytes/sec = approx Infinity kbits/sec
4th 128K took 0 ms = Infinity Bytes/sec = approx Infinity kbits/sec

Honest, thats what it said.

I think it must have been in your cache to achieve that sort of speed!

[marky]

Originally Posted by MikeyB

Ah ha! Why not...

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 20:11:01 UTC
1st 128K took 0 ms = Infinity Bytes/sec = approx Infinity kbits/sec
2nd 128K took 16 ms = 8192000 Bytes/sec = approx 68157 kbits/sec
3rd 128K took 0 ms = Infinity Bytes/sec = approx Infinity kbits/sec
4th 128K took 0 ms = Infinity Bytes/sec = approx Infinity kbits/sec

Honest, thats what it said.

you missed this bit
These results appear to be rather fast: maybe this page was in the browser cache.