Measure WiFi speed - how it works
To measure your DSL or WLAN speed, you can carry out a speed test using an online benchmark test or special software. In this practical tip, we present two options.
Measure WiFi speed with NetStress
The speed tool calculates the connection speed of your WLAN network. Alternatively, you can use further tests to determine the overall speed of the DSL connection, read more about this in the next section.
- You need two computers for the measurement. One must be connected directly to the router using a LAN cable, the other via the WLAN.
- Then install the NetStress tool on both devices and start it.
- After starting you have to select the respective network adapter on both devices. Where you are connected via LAN, select the "LAN" or "Ethernet" adapter. Where you are connected via WLAN, the WLAN adapter.
- Then the tool sets itself up. Confirm the firewall requests that arise with "Allow access". Once all messages have been confirmed, the connection of the devices can continue. You do not need to pay attention to the green loading bar at the bottom, it practically always "loads".
- Click on the button with the star where you are connected via WiFi. Select the IP address of the second computer here. Usually this is already there, otherwise you have to enter it manually.
- Click on the "Start" button to start the test. You will then see the speed measurement on both devices.
- You can stop the test after about 30 seconds. You will now find the average connection speed of your WLAN network on the right. The measurement is done in kbit / s. 1000 kBit / s corresponds to 1 MBit / s.
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Tips for evaluating NetStress
- For example, if you have a line that promises you 16, 000 kbps, this is your comparison value. 16, 000 Kbps corresponds to 16 Mbit / s, which in turn means 2 Mbyte / s. With a 16, 000 line, you should achieve a maximum speed of 2 MB per second when downloading a file.
- If you carry out a measurement, you will hardly reach the value of 16, 000 kbit / s in this example. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that part of the speed is lost via the WLAN network, on the other hand, the providers rarely achieve the promised values. These can also fluctuate over time.
- For example, if you measure a speed of 10, 000 kbit / s, this does not mean that your router is performing poorly. If you are promised 16, 000, everything from 12, 000 is a good result. At higher speeds like 50, 000 kbps, you can still live well with a real performance of 40, 000 kbps.
- Since the transmission via WLAN is always somewhat slower than via LAN, you should compare the results again with the LAN speed. Only repeated measurements at different times provide a reliable result. If the real result deviates significantly from the promised performance, contact your Internet provider.
- For an alternative measurement of the LAN or WLAN speed, follow the instructions in the next paragraph.
Measure internet speed via online benchmark test
There are several providers of online benchmark tests to measure internet speed. In this example we use the CHIP speed test.
- Before you can determine the download and upload rate, you must first dial into the corresponding network with a laptop, PC or smartphone.
- Disconnect other devices from the network so as not to affect the connection test.
- Close all open programs on your test device and restart the browser.
- If you call up the page "speedtest.chip.de", the test starts automatically. Now the latency (ping) and the download and upload speed are measured in Mbit / s. You can then read off the values.
Find connection rate on Mac OS
- There are also programs that measure the speed of your internet connection. For Mac OS you can download and install the "WiFiSpy" program, for example.
- The tool now shows the current connection rate to the router in Mbps in the menu bar. So you can constantly see how fast and good the connection is and where you have the best reception.
Measure more than just the speed of the WLAN: In the CHIP special issue
With our WLAN manual 2015 you can get more out of your home network. From beginners to professionals, everyone will find practical tips and tricks here. Configure the router as the control center for your entire home, set up the perfect media center and fix specific network errors.
- In the CHIP kiosk you will find the WLAN manual either as a booklet or as a PDF for download
- The highlight of the booklet DVD is the full version Bitdefender Total Security 2015 - all-round protection for 365 days. Plus: CHIP WLAN tool package!
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