What do the results of the Speed Test mean?

 

Packets and Packet Loss

 

A packet is an individual piece of information transmitted over a network.

Each packet contains data and delivery information. Packets are combined at their destination to display websites and relay audio conversations in telephone calls.

Packet loss is when packets leave their source but do not arrive at their destination. The transmitting system is then asked to resend the missing packet(s).

It can be caused by poor signal to a cable modem or other interference on the network connection.

Check for any obvious coaxial cable damage and confirm tight coaxial cable connections.

 

Jitter

 

Jitter is the variation in latency, or travel time, for information passed through a network.

Jitter is measured in milliseconds.

Jitter can be caused by poor signal to a cable modem and other interference on the network connection.

Check for any obvious coaxial cable damage and confirm tight coaxial cable connections.
 

Latency

Latency is the amount of time it takes a packet of information to travel from its source to its destination.

Latency is measured in milliseconds.

High latency can be caused by a number of factors such as distance from servers, slow network routers,

heavy traffic, poor signal to a cable modem and other interference on the network connection.

Check for any obvious coaxial cable damage and confirm tight coaxial cable connections.
 

Firewall Check

 

"To Server" is the outgoing test and it looks at two ways of transmitting data – UDP and TCP.

These should appear as Open indicating you have outgoing access.

"To Client" is the incoming test and it looks at two ways of transmitting data – UDP and TCP.
These should appear as Closed on most connections indicating you are secure from unrequested incoming data requests.

If this shows Open, you may want to confirm that any firewall software or hardware you have is enabled and properly configured.

UDP (User Datagram Protocol) and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) are connection methods used by many online services including the Domain Name System (DNS = web site names), streaming media applications, Voice over IP (VoIP) and many online games.

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