How Does the Number of Sessions Impact V-Test Internet Access Speed Test?

Testing Internet Speed is a complex task, and the number of sessions, often referred to as connections, can greatly affect the results. In Ookla's Speedtest™ mode, this variable plays a key role. But, is more always better?

Example of the V-TEST configuration page where users can set the number of streams to be used for the Internet speed test

1. Discovering the Network's Full Potential

Increasing the number of sessions can sometimes provide insights into the maximum capability of the network by utilizing all the available bandwidth. By increasing the number of sessions, you can effectively stress test your network and gauge its full potential. This is especially useful if you want to ensure that your network can handle heavy traffic loads without compromising performance.

V-TEST internet access speed test with a single session offered a poor performance on this particular port.

1 Session: Poor performance

V-TEST internet access speed test with 8 sessions offered a fair performance on this particular port.

8 Sessions: Fair Performance

V-TEST internet access speed test with 12 sessions offered the best performance on this particular port.

12 Sessions: Best performance

V-TEST internet access speed test with 16 sessions offered good performance on this particular port.

16 Sessions: Good performance

2. Compatibility with Different Devices

When considering the compatibility of your network with different devices, it is crucial to understand that not all devices or networks are capable of efficiently handling multiple sessions. This is particularly true for older hardware or connections with lower capacity. In such cases, increasing the number of sessions might actually result in a less accurate measurement of performance.

3. Potential Server Limitations

When conducting a speed test, it is important to consider the potential limitations of the server used. Each server has its own capacity for handling concurrent connections efficiently. If the number of sessions is increased unnecessarily during the test, it can overwhelm the server and result in suboptimal performance. This, in turn, can provide inaccurate information about the network's capabilities.

4. Straining the Network

Using a large number of sessions can also place a strain on your network and the testing server, which might lead to congestion and ultimately skew the results of the test. It might show either an unrealistically high or low result, depending on various factors like the capabilities of your router, the server's location, and other network conditions.

5. Not Reflecting Real-World Use

On the other hand, using more sessions may not reflect how you typically use the internet. Most day-to-day tasks, such as browsing websites, streaming videos, or checking emails, do not involve multiple simultaneous connections to the same extent that a speed test with many connections might. While stress testing your network with multiple sessions can provide valuable insights into its maximum capability, it may not accurately represent the performance you can expect in typical use.

Summary

The number of connections or sessions in V-Test has a complex impact on the results. While it can reveal the maximum capacity of your network, it may not align with subscribers' daily internet use. The default settings of V-Test typically offer a balanced insight into real-world internet speeds, taking into account the limitations of hardware, server capacity, and typical residential or consumer internet usage scenarios. For business customers use cases, you may consider adjusting the number of sessions to verify the links maximum performance.