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[kezzaman]

On speedtest.net it highlights which server is closest and best for you to run a test on, but since i've been with Virgin every other day its a different server in a different location  I live in Derby and the closest 1 to me is Birmingham but sometimes it tells me im near Morecoambe or Manchester or even down London. This isn't really causing any problems im just kinda curious.

[AdrianH]

Speedtest.net doesn't work like that. The distances given are from your ISP's servers to the test server, the "best " server for me was London which Speedtest told me was only 50miles away, that has now changed to 150miles with a different ISP and the tester now tells me to check via Birmingham, I am on the South Coast.

Virgin must be using an IP system like AOL's where you get shown on any available IP address in a huge pool.

[kezzaman]

oh right, cheers

[burakkucat]

The distance mentioned is not a straight-line distance ("as the crow flies") but is the cumulative distance of the routing used to get from your ISP's server to the selected speed testing server. If you have a dynamically allocated IP address (as is the case with the majority of domestic users) and you have had a modem re-sync since your last speed test, then you will most likely have been allocated a different IP address from your ISP's "pool".

Here is an example of what you have observed. I live in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. I can do a speed test using the London Speedtest.net server and have the distance reported as ~50 miles. I trace and note the route taken from my ISP's server to the London Speedtest.net server. After performing a modem re-sync or dropping and re-establishing my current PPPoA session, I will have a different IP address allocated to me. I repeat the speed test using the same London server and have the distance reported as ~100 miles. Tracing the route shows my connection to the London Speedtest.net server has taken a completely different path to that used previously. The only change between then and now is my dynamically allocated IP address.

[jeffbb]

Hi
I thought it was based on your IP Address . If I use An IP address locator It shows me in the City of London.
so it shows  London,Maiden head +others as the recommended .I am actually in North Wales. selecting Manchester  rather than the recommended consistently gives Lower Ping  .
Regards Jeff