Download speed conundrum

[Pianorak]

The following is not home-work - I am just curious.

I have just downloaded the latest AVG Update File of 2911.5 KBytes and noticed that my Desktop running under Windows 98SE, Pentium III/600Mhz, 128 MB of Ram, and a MDP3900V-W (56K V.90) modem took 00:14:31 to download it, at an average speed of 3.3Kbytes/sec. Initial connection speed (via AOL v.6): 115K.
In contrast my IBM Thinkpad running under Windows ME, Celeron 600 Mhz, 128 MB of Ram, and a Lucent Technologies Soft Modem AMR (56K V.90) managed it in 00:10:31, at an average speed of between 4.5 to 4.7 Kbytes/sec.
Initial connection speed (via AOL v.6): 52K.
Both downloads via the same phone line and carried out one immediately after the other.

My understanding is that TCP governs the download - but does it also govern the speed?
I am just wondering why the less powerful laptop should have managed the download that much faster. What actually governs the speed of a download?
http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/confused.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/redface.gif


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The PC Guide ueber alles – with Google a close second.

[Gallaeglagh]

The most important thing is the server that you connect to. Even though your downloads were close together does not mean it was from the same server.

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Garbage in - Garbage out

[Pianorak]

Thanks Gallaeglagh. Sounds convincing. Now why didn't I think of that? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/redface.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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The PC Guide ueber alles – with Google a close second.

[Gallaeglagh]

BTW, you might need updated drivers for your modem on the desktop since it's reading a 115K speed, unless there's something I'm not understanding about your system.

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Garbage in - Garbage out

[Whyzman]

Rick or mjc told me what the 115K actually means that shows up with my AOL...I just cannot remember right now! DOH! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Hopefully one of them will see this and reply...it's obviously not what we think it is...LOL

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[Pianorak]

Thanks for all the replies so far.
Well, just to amplify:
This initial connection speed of 115K is actually the ONLY speed at which I can surf and download. Any slower connection speed enables me to download email from AOL but, strange to say, will not connect me to any other URL. It is for that reason that I am always mighty pleased to see: "Connecting at 115200bps". In fact, on the rare occasion when I am connected at a slower speed I now disconnect straight away and redial until I get my 115K connection.



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The PC Guide ueber alles – with Google a close second.

[Ghost_Hacker]

Gallaeglagh answer is correct in your case. But in case you are still intersested here's a link that explains TCP flow control.
http://www.freesoft.org/CIE/Course/Section4/5.htm


It was the least "techie" explaination I could find. Techie explainations of flow control can be really, really, boring. So if you need something to put you to sleep try these links http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Have fun!

http://www.ce.chalmers.se/~fcela/tcp-tour.html

http://www.ssfnet.org/Exchange/tcp/tcpTutorialNotes.html

http://www.camtp.uni-mb.si/books/Internet-Book/TCP_Introduction.html

[This message has been edited by Ghost_Hacker (edited 02-01-2002).]

[Pianorak]

Ghost Hacker <<So if you need something to put you to sleep try these links >>
Thanks for the links - just the kind of bedside reading I've been looking for. Beats sleeping pills any day. ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Gallaeglagh It's probably self-evident - but I fail to see why I would want new drivers, when nothing less than a 115K connection will do to get me connected? Forgive me I am not young - just a late developer. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/redface.gif


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The PC Guide ueber alles – with Google a close second.

[mjc]

Interesting....unless you have an ISDN connection (or better) a speed of 115k to the internet is impossible to attain, especially with a 56k modem...the speed of 115k is the speed between your modem and your computer, not between your modem and the internet, basically what it is showing is the fact that your modem and computer are communicating optimally.........

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[Pianorak]

mjc You appear to be puzzled. Well, I do not have an ISDN connection, just the common-or-garden phone line.

<< . . . the speed of 115k is the speed between your modem and your computer, . . .>>
Sorry, but this begs a further question: which part of my computer? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/confused.gif

However, since you are saying that communications are optimal, I take it no further action is called for, ie no need for new drivers.



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The PC Guide ueber alles – with Google a close second.

[Gallaeglagh]

115k is not your internet connection, it's an internal connection as mjc pointed out. If it's working fine maybe you don't need new drivers however you did point out that it did seem slower than your laptop.

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Garbage in - Garbage out

[Pianorak]

Gallaeglagh - << . . . however you did point out that it did seem slower than your laptop.>>

Right, but as you pointed out that was probably due to the fact that two different servers were involved.



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The PC Guide ueber alles – with Google a close second.

[Gallaeglagh]

If you'd like more info on this 115k connection search google for "false modem connection 115k" and you'll come up with a good number of hits.

And part of the problem of measuring modem speeds is the constant variables such as phone line connections, isp connection, different paths on the net,server loads etc.. I think the best measure is - is what is the max up or download at any given time.

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Garbage in - Garbage out

[BigBlue66]

I could be wrong, but I always thought the 115,200bps connection speed is notorius of software based modems.

I mean, I have used both, first the software based modem that would connect me at this amazingly lightning fast connection of 115,200bps, then when I got a hardware based modem with nothing else changed, I connected at the more realistic 52,000bps or whatever.

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"From up on the roof top there came such a clamor, I ran to the window and threw up"
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[Whyzman]

BB, I do have an HSP Micromodem. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

I have a hardware modem in my office computer (56K) which topped at 47K (version 5)if my memory serves me correctly. However, since I upgraded to version 6 and now 7 of the AOL software the number is at 115K.

With mjc's input it appears that AOL has changed the information they are supplying during connect, IMHO probably for marketing purposes (I was certainly impressed when I first saw the jump). Since it is impossible to attain an internet connection of 115K with a generic phone line...it must then mean, as mjc pointed out, the modem to computer speed.

Ah marketing...I thought AOL was giving me a leg up on the rest of the ISPs with somekind of DSL without the price! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[Pianorak]

Whyzman et al. - "marketing purposes" - in other words we are in the familiar Style-over-Substance realm.
Anyway, I think I've got the idea, and shall follow up the various links.
Thanks again everybody - it's been an education. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif


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The PC Guide ueber alles – with Google a close second.

[sea69]

there are (2) reasons it states 115k connection.

1) software modem,

2) more importantly- you have that set to connect at 115 in your modem properties. So that's why it says this.

mine says "connected at 10.0MBs", but wouldn't that be nice??

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 02-02-2002).]