FTP Upload Speed CAP Limited?

FTP Upload Speed CAP?

[drooh]

I am just curious about my upload speed. I am using FTP to upload files to a server. From what I can see I am uploading at about 50k. My ISP says that I get 384 k upload speed. Is there something that is limiting my upload speed? I have looked everywhere and I cannot figure out how to get the full 384 they claim... any suggestions?

[penders]

Is there not a more appropriate forum? < admin note: thread is now moved >

The quote upload speed of 384 Kbps is a theoretical maximum. Your actual upload is likely to be lower. Some things which effect this speed...

• Other people may be uploading (or even browsing). Presumably you are on a shared connection?
  
• Your line quality may not be 100% (in fact it is probably not)
  
• Other applications on your machine may be 'chatting' on the internet.
  
• Your FTP software may not be set to 'throttle' the connection. By default, a lot of FTP software will not run at the max, simply to allow you to multitask.
  
• Your ISP may 'shape' your connection at certain times of the day to control your maximum speeds (although this is more common with downloading)
  
• A mouse may have munched your wires! etc...
  

[edited by: tedster at 4:44 pm (utc) on Sep. 4, 2007]

[drooh]

I am using a php script w/ ftp so there is no setting that I know of for throtlling. Is there a setting in PHP?

I have noticed this for a long time, even when using different ISPs.

It could not be anything to do with my router (could it)..?

[penders]

I am using a php script w/ ftp so there is no setting that I know of for throtlling. Is there a setting in PHP?

I do not know enough to comment on that unfortunately. I would have thought, however, that it would be at a server level. If you were on a shared host you wouldn't have that much control, as it would effect other accounts. Presumably you have your own local server in order to be using your local connection?

It could not be anything to do with my router (could it)..?

Theoretically it could, but unless you've changed the settings then it should allow the max speed. Is there a hardware limitation?

Admittedly, 50kbps does sound a bit low for a 384kbps connection.

Can you compare the speed with the speed of another FTP program?

[drooh]

yes I am on my own local server.

I have tried and noticed this similar upload rate w/ every FTP client I've tried.

I'll check my router but I can't recall anything in there that limited the upload speed.

My NIC is 10/100

[penders]

What line rate (upstream) does your router report?

[jtara]

Are you sure that you are not confusing kbits/sec with kbytes/sec?

ISPs normally quote speeds in k-bits/sec. Upload/download tools more commonly (but not always) report speeds in k-bytes/second.

384 kbits/sec = 48 kbytes/sec. (Somewhat lower through can be expected, due to overhead.)

There are many factors that can affect your upload speed. If you are on a cable connection, you may be contending with neighbors for bandwidth. Even if you have a DSL or some other kind of connection that provides a dedicated path the the ISP, you may still be contending with other users of the ISP, backbone provider, or site that you are uploading to.

I'd suggest checking with one of the "speed test" type sites, and check several sites.