Speedtest is the most widely used internet speed test tool, but did you know you can run it without a browser? Testing your connection via the terminal is a powerful way to diagnose network issues on remote servers. Linux offers unlimited possibilities for administrators who need to verify performance quickly and accurately.
Key Points
- Speedtest-cli is a Python-based application that uses the speedtest.net infrastructure.
- It allows for bidirectional testing of download and upload speeds directly from the command line.
- The tool can list servers based on physical distance or test against a specific server ID.
- Results can be shared as a classic Speedtest image or displayed in simplified text format.
The application, known as speedtest-cli, measures internet connection speed using the speedtest.net infrastructure. It is particularly useful for system administrators managing remote environments. If you are setting up a workstation for trading or analysis, you might also want to install MetaTrader on Linux to take advantage of your high-speed connection.
How to install speedtest-cli on various distributions?
The installation method depends on your specific Linux flavor. Most modern distributions include speedtest-cli in their official repositories or allow installation via Python’s package manager.
Speedtest-cli in Arch Linux
In the fantastic Arch Linux, speedtest-cli is located in the AUR (Arch User Repository). You can perform a speedtest-cli arch installation using AUR assistants like pacaur or yaourt:
pacaur -S speedtest-cli
Speedtest-cli in Ubuntu
For Ubuntu users, the most reliable way is to use pip. First, ensure the python-pip package is installed on your system:
sudo apt-get install python-pip sudo pip install speedtest-cli
How to test internet speed with speedtest-cli?
To run a basic arch speedtest cli check with the nearest server, simply type the command without any arguments:
speedtest-cli
There are several useful flags to customize your output:
--bytes: Displays speed in bytes instead of bits.--share: Generates a URL for the classic speedtest result image.--simple: Provides a clean output showing only ping, download, and upload values.--list: Lists all available speedtest.net servers sorted by distance.
To test your speed with a specific server, find the server ID from the list and use the following syntax:
speedtest-cli --server [server_number]
Important Considerations for Production Servers
While speedtest-cli is an excellent tool for a quick speedtest arch linux check, it is a third-party application. You should avoid using it in sensitive production situations where latent reporting or high precision is required.
Since we provide unmanaged services, ensuring your network configuration is optimized is the responsibility of the administrator. We ensure that the VPS network and basic functions are working correctly, but the performance of third-party tools like speedtest-cli depends on your software environmen. Using optimized RAM and DISK resources on your VPS will help maintain overall system responsiveness during intensive network tests.
