Hi, roaddog,
Thanks for the reply.
Oddly, the local teleco’s plans go like this (pasted from their website):
Dial-up Internet $15.95 Unlimited time w/1 e-mail acct.
DSL Residential Lite $34.90 320kbps download/128kbps upload
DSL Residential $44.90 768kbps download/128kbps upload
DSL Residential Fast* $54.90 1.5Mbps download/512kbps upload
DSL Residential Gamer* $64.90 3.0Mbps download/768kbps upload
DSL Business Lite $54.90 320kbps download/128kbps upload
DSL Business $74.90 768kbps download/256kbps upload
DSL Business II* $94.90 1.5Mbps download/512kbps upload
DSL Business III* $114.90 3.0Mbps download/768kbps upload
Static IP Address $5.00
DSL Modem Lease $4.95
The weird thing is that from “DSL Residential Lite” to “DSL Residential” the upload speed does not increase, and for this job I am looking at, a minimum of 256kbps upload speed is required. So, that’d force me into a $55/mo. (plus taxes) plan, and that is REALLY pushing the budget.
Anyway, my question remains - how to test upload speed?
Best way I know how to do that is to hang a network traffic analysis tool on your home router. How do you plan to connect you home sysytem to your DSL modem? Straight connection via CAT 5 cable or are you going to go DSL modem to wireless router? I would recommend getting a wireless router (Linksys makes excellent ones and are suppored by Cisco and come with some good tools).
I’ll poke around on my wireless router tonight and get back to you on any tools I find regariding traffic speeds.