Can Anyone Settle an Argument on Upload Speeds

nighthawk · 10-06-2004, 17:35

Hi all. I need some help.

I am having a "dissagrement" with one of my m8's.

He has stated that the fastest way for me to transfer files to him is to set up an FTP so that he download them from my machine.

His reasoning behind this is that he can download from me using his full 1mb line while if i was to trasnfer the file to his machine i would only be able to upload to him at the 256/128 kb limit (cant rember the upload on a 1mb ntl line).

Surley it doesn't matter what speed he can download at, as the file trasnfer (regardless of wither i send to him or he takes from me) is always going to be controlled by my upload limit.

Also any "official" material on this would be useful as he is a bit stuborn

paulyoung666 · 10-06-2004, 17:38

so he can dl at 1mb , you can only upload at 256kb , so therefore if you get the file to your ftp then he will be able to dl 4 times faster than if you were to send it to him directly , sorry but i cant see what is so difficult to understand

edit :- but he will be getting it from ntl at 1mb wont he

Richard M · 10-06-2004, 17:40

It would take longer though by FTP because first you have to upload it then he has to wait until you've finished to start the download.
The quickest way would be over MSN or something.

nighthawk · 10-06-2004, 17:40

The FTP would be set up on my local machine.

punky · 10-06-2004, 17:41

You are right. If you have to send the files to anyone, it will only go as fast as you can send it, which will be 256k.

It doesn't matter how he gets the data from you, the important thing is, that it has to come from you. Your upload speed is 256k, so that is all anyone can get from you, even on an OC-43 line.

Some protocols are better at transfering data because of the effciency, but we are talking very minor differences in speed. 1/10th k/sec probably. It would be more effected by traffic levels, etc.

ian@huth · 10-06-2004, 17:42

Your mate can only get the file from you as fast as your upload is capable of supplying it.

The best proof is to try it with a file using any transfer method he chooses and he will know the answer when they all come in at about the same speed.

paulyoung666 · 10-06-2004, 17:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by nighthawk

The FTP would be set up on my local machine.

now you didnt say that did you , sheeesh some ppl

Richard M · 10-06-2004, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by nighthawk

The FTP would be set up on my local machine.

So it would be exactly the same as using an IM program then.

Gareth · 10-06-2004, 17:53

Bah, everyone here has missed out on one way of getting the file transferred the fastest way. Have you lot never heard of Pigeon Enabled Internet?

http://www.notes.co.il/benbasat/5240.asp

swoop101 · 10-06-2004, 18:04

If you could compress/zip/rar the file first to reduce it's size then he would be able to get it faster, but still only at your max upload speed of 256.

10-06-2004, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by GDW1975

Bah, everyone here has missed out on one way of getting the file transferred the fastest way. Have you lot never heard of Pigeon Enabled Internet?

http://www.notes.co.il/benbasat/5240.asp

That has got to be the most stupid thing I have ever heard. What if the pigeon got shot or got lost? loose a lot of data there

**Paul** · 11-06-2004, 01:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by nighthawk

Also any "official" material on this would be useful as he is a bit stuborn

As you have probably gathered by now - you are right, he is wrong.

No matter what method you use - you cannot get files off your pc, to someone else, any faster than your upload speed.

The best you can do is use something that compresses them before transfer. The transfer rate will not be any faster - but there will be less data to actually transfer, so it will take less time.

Xaccers · 11-06-2004, 01:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electrolyte

That has got to be the most stupid thing I have ever heard. What if the pigeon got shot or got lost? loose a lot of data there

Such instances, like being intercepted by sparrow hawks, are taken into account and there is sufficient error checking to cope.

11-06-2004, 02:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xaccers

Such instances, like being intercepted by sparrow hawks, are taken into account and there is sufficient error checking to cope.

So do they surge a load of birds, so that no-matter what predation the carriers suffer, there will always be enough to get through????

dropoffpoint · 11-06-2004, 13:23

Of course you're both failing to factor in the weight of the file being carried by the said pigeon as Monty Python pointed out ( all be it in relation to swallows and coconuts)

"It's not a question of where 'e grips it! It's a simple question of
weight ratios! A five-ounce bird could *not* carry a one-pound
coconut!....

....In order to maintain air-speed velocity, a swallow needs to
beat its wings forty-three times every second"

Or is it an African Pigeon?