[Visualization] What is download speed?

Download speed is measured in Mbps (megabits per second) and shows how fast information can be downloaded from the Internet. NetSpot calculates Download speed during Active Scanning, by sending queries to servers and measuring the speed at which information is sent and received. You can choose to measure download speed by HTTP, TCP or UDP in the Active Scanning Preferences.

Note: The Download Speed visualization is one of the PRO visualizations available only to those that have upgraded to the PRO or Enterprise version of NetSpot.

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To measure download speed:

  1. Adjust Active Scanning settings in Preferences as needed.
  2. Set up a new survey and on the Active Scanning page, check the box next to the network that you wish to test the speed of.
  3. Perform your survey.
  4. Click on the Visualization drop-down menu and select Download Speed, Iperf TCP Download Speed or Iperf UDP Download Speed from the menu.
  5. Hover over any of your data points and the download speed for that spot will show next to the network name on the left-hand sidebar.
  6. By clicking the Visualization Configuration gear icon (next to the visualization drop-down menu), you can adjust the AP Detection Proximity and the Minimum and Maximum download speeds.

    visualization gear icon

    Visualization Configuration icon

See our article on “Troubleshooting Download Rate“for more information.

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updated: October 9, 2023 author: nsjill
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