fs_speedtest - [Overview of Steps]

Most data from the SL servers is now sent via HTTP. Only some data is sent by UDP. The bandwidth setting in the viewer controls only UDP data. Formerly, most data was sent via UDP, so the bandwidth setting had a much greater effect on your experience. Now that most data is via HTTP, the viewer bandwidth setting will generally have a less noticeable effect.

1. Check your network with a speedtest to Portland, Oregon (which is the general vicinity of the LL data center) to establish a baseline. (See below for how to do this.)
2. Set your bandwidth to 1500 Kbps or the baseline, whichever is lower.
3. The setting is found in Preferences→ Network & Files -> Connection; Maximum Bandwidth is at the top. (Also found in Quick Preferences.)
4. If you have no problems, you can try raising the setting, perhaps 500 at a time. Note that you may see no improvement at all.
5. See below for examples of various communications problems. Some may need a higher bandwidth setting, some a lower setting. When adjusting, try raising/lowering in increments of 200-500 until the problems go away.
6. Note that wireless connections are more prone to signal interference at higher speeds and may work better at or below 500 Kbps.

1. Log out of Firestorm if you are currently logged in
2. Measure your download speed to Portland, Oregon, USA, by clicking this link, then select Change Server; in the search box, type in Oregon and then select one of the servers listed, such as Portland, OR. Then run the test. Make note of the download speed they indicate at the end of the test:
3. The speeds are given in Mbps; multiply the speed you get by 1000 to compare to the viewer's bandwidth slider.

If you have these problems, try reducing your bandwidth setting to “make room” for the streams:

• Voice breaking up or stopping
• Music/media streams breaking up or stopping

If you have these problems, try increasing your bandwidth setting:

• Objects not accepting edits you make (textures, positions, or other attributes not “sticking” when changed in the edit window)
• Objects not updating according to scripts (textures, animations, positions that are controlled by scripts)
• Trouble moving your avatar across distances, such as in walking/flying, or trouble rotating more than 60°.
• Trouble typing (although we do not have confirmation that this is UDP data).
• Trouble moving your camera (“camming”)

Do NOT adjust bandwidth for the following problems. These types of data (asset data) are not sent via UDP, so the setting will have no effect on them:

• Textures not loading
• Mesh not loading
• Objects being deformed
• Bakefail (avatars being orange clouds)
• Difficulty turning/rotating your avatar in small amounts
• Animations not working

SpeedTest will give some indication of the quality of your connection. But other very useful indications are ping and packet loss.

Packet loss is a measure of how much data you are losing–in other words, how much data SL is sending to you that is not reaching you. Ideally, you want 0% packet loss. More than 1% or 2% can start to be a problem, depending on what information is being lost.

• If you have high packet loss, and your bandwidth is on a high setting, try reducing your bandwidth setting. Too-high settings can cause the viewer to request data that is not available.
• If your bandwidth is set low, such as below 500, try increasing bandwidth slightly.

Ping is a measure of how long it take information to travel between you and SL. If you have high ping times, you may experience large delays in SL responding to you.

You can determine these from within the viewer by accessing the statistics bar (press Shift-Ctrl-1). Look for Packet Loss and Ping SIM. Ideally, these should be 0.0% and under 150ms, respectively. The stats bar gives data based on your present location in the SL grid.

Power cycling your modem/router and computer will refresh your connection and can alleviate some problems. Unplug the modem/router from all power. Wait at least 2 minutes. Plug them back in. Reboot your computer at this time.

If you have high packet loss and you are on wifi, try using a wired connection instead, even as a test. Your data loss may be caused by wireless interference, and this test can help you determine if that is so.