Broadband diagnostic tools

For the most part broadband these days just works.

There is very little to do in the way of configuration beyond setting up your router or securing wireless devices using the network.

But how do you know it is working to the best of its ability, or that you're maximising the bandwidth you've paid for? The clever money heads for specialist broadband diagnostic and testing tools.

You certainly can't rely upon the advertised rate which is often a get-out of 'up to' 8Mb/sec. Assuming you have switched off all other devices, connected to the network and hooked up the router using a good quality Cat5 cable (wireless is useless for proper testing) then you can take your pick of multiple testing sites.

Click on the links below to read our reviews of five top broadband diagnostic tools.

Reviews:
Speedtest.net
VoIP Test
Smokeping
SG TCP Optimiser
NetMeter - Recommended

Author: Davey Winder