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> Many ISPs, device manufacturers, and consumers automate periodic, high-intensity speed tests that negatively impact the consumer internet experience as demons
by lxgr 1y ago
> Many ISPs, device manufacturers, and consumers automate periodic, high-intensity speed tests that negatively impact the consumer internet experience as demonstrated.
Is that actually a thing? Why would any ISP intentionally add unnecessary load to their network?
- sidewndr46 1y agoI've only met around 10 people that even know what a speed test is. I'm not sure how most consumers would even go about automating one. What would be the first step?
- cowsandmilk 1y agoSee https://www.thousandeyes.com/blog/cisco-announces-intent-to-acquire-samknows https://www.thousandeyes.com/blog/cisco-announces-intent-to-... for example, SamKnows is in millions of homes measuring performance and now sending the data to Cisco.
- chrneu 1y agoFor what it's worth, I think most ISPs that do this will host their speed test in-network so their speeds are inflated. This benefits both the ISP and whoever is in charge of the speed test(like speedtest.net). So they're not really increasing their network load a measurable amount since the data never actually leaves their internal network. My ISP's network admin explained this to me one day when I asked about it. He said they don't really notice any difference.
- cruffle_duffle 1y agoThat’s why Netflix has fast.com, which pulls actual video content, meaning it’s hard for the ISP to inflate the number. (at least as per my understanding)
- wlonkly 1y agoSort of -- Netflix probably has a CDN cache at the ISP, and the ISP can definitely prioritize that cache. Fast.com will use that CDN if available. https://openconnect.netflix.com/en/ https://openconnect.netflix.com/en/