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This method involves comparing how long it takes to get back multiple packets
of data sent to major Internet backbones
using a method called pinging. If it takes
a relatively longer time for the data packets
to reach the destination and come back to the source, or if a high percentage (more than 10% for example) of the
packets doesn't come back at all, the
link between the two points is considered poor. An Internet weather reporting service would keep repeating this
process every so often to produce a report that you can view and compare 24 hours a day. If your Internet
service provider, your final destination site or one of the routes in-between is using a backbone
with poor conditions, you may experience slowdowns and/or timeouts.
NOTE:
Due to the decentralized and dynamic nature of the Internet,
Internet weather reporting service may not be able
to pin point your problem every time. Also note that the condition of Internet
backbones may change within minutes. If you continue to see a particular backbone
in your path perform poorly, talk to your Internet service
provider or your web host, whichever the case maybe. Your Internet
service provider (ISP) may have an Internet weather reporting system that's closer and specific to your Internet connection. If you have a web site hosted outside
of your local ISP's network,
they may also provide a more relevant report closer to their network
center. If available, be sure to use such services that are closer to you and your web server instead of generic
services. This is because Internet weather reporting services closer to your connection may be able to pickup on
local problems that other services may not be able to see.
You maybe able to run a basic ping test directly from
your computer without using an Internet weather reporting service. To give this a try, go to your operating system's
command prompt (DOS box in Windows 95) and type ping followed by the host/domain name of your destination site. For example,
if your destination site is www.high-density.com, type: ping www.high-density.com and press ENTER
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