Why is M-Lab speed test inconsistent between web and Fingbox

LiamO

I have a Fingbox V2 connected directly to my router which usually reports my download speed at around 320 Mbps (circuit is 1 Gbps down, but I've read and accept M-Lab's explanation of why there can be a difference).

Out of interest, I've installed Fing Desktop on my MacBook Air, and also tried testing through M-Lab's web site. Both consistently record speeds of 450 Mbps or greater, speeds that the Fingbox has never been able to achieve.

Given that the Fingbox has a direct 1 Gbps connection to the router whereas the MacBook is going over Wi-Fi, I'd expect the box to get faster speeds. Can anyone suggest a reason for this 100+ Mbps difference when using the same speed testing service?

Karl_From_Fing

Hey @LiamO

We have been in contact with our Speedtest partners, M-Labs. They confirmed that they have recently rolled out an upgraded of their infrastructure & migration of machines to a new platform. This is being done to improve the overall Speedtest performance going forward. By doing this, initially they have cut of the multi-stream download Speedtest that we rely on for our Speedtests. However, they have greatly improved the single stream download Speedtest (previously the single stream download could measure up to 250 Mbps, where now it can measure up to 500+ Mbps). With speeds above this, the measured speed reported will be lower than before, due to the single stream limits.

To note for Fingbox users: this will also affect Fingbox Speedtests. We have released a new firmware version for the Fingbox which will allow single stream download to work again, firmware version 1.14.13 and onwards. If you have not yet received the new release, please power-cycle the Fingbox, this will automatically update the firmware on the Fingbox.

M-Labs are working on re-introducing the mutli speed download speedtest, to include it again in the future. Currently, we have no time-frame on when this will be re-introduced. Unfortunately at this stage, there is no further steps we can take to expedite this process.

For more information on differences between single and multiple stream tests, please see: https://www.measurementlab.net/blog/speed-tests-accuracy/

LiamO

@Karl_From_Fing Thanks for the information. I look forward to seeing what happens with Speedtest in the future.

Just one follow up question. Does this explain the significant difference in speed being measured by my Fingbox (320Mbps) and Fing Desktop (450Mbps)? Do they use different servers for testing?

A little more detail, my Fingbox is connected directly to my router (Firewalla Gold) and Fing Desktop is running over Wi-Fi to an Eero Pro 6 which also then connects to the router. Given the connection method, I would expect the Fingbox to be able to run faster, unless Fing Desktop is connecting to M-Labs in a different way.

Karl_From_Fing

@Chris_MLAB
May I ask if you would have any advice on the above query?