Speedtest CLI: Test Internet Speed From Command Line

by Jhon Lennon 53 views

In today's fast-paced digital world, knowing your internet speed is more important than ever. Whether you're a gamer, a streamer, or just someone who relies on a stable internet connection for work or leisure, understanding your connection's performance is crucial. While there are numerous ways to check your internet speed, the Speedtest CLI (Command Line Interface) tool offers a convenient and efficient method, especially for developers, system administrators, and anyone comfortable with the command line. This article dives deep into the Speedtest CLI, exploring its features, installation process, usage, and benefits.

What is Speedtest CLI?

Speedtest CLI is a command-line tool provided by Speedtest by Ookla, a popular and widely used internet speed testing service. Unlike the graphical interface you might be used to on their website, the CLI version allows you to perform speed tests directly from your terminal or command prompt. This is incredibly useful for scripting, automation, and running tests on servers or remote machines without a graphical interface. Guys, it's like having a pocket-sized speed testing superpower at your fingertips!

The beauty of the Speedtest CLI lies in its simplicity and efficiency. It bypasses the need for a web browser, making it lightweight and fast. It provides accurate and reliable results, mirroring the quality you expect from Speedtest by Ookla. This makes it an indispensable tool for network troubleshooting, performance monitoring, and ensuring you're getting the bandwidth you're paying for. For example, imagine you are a system administrator. You could schedule a cron job using Speedtest CLI to run speed tests every hour and log the results. This will allow you to see at what times of the day the network is slow, allowing you to efficiently troubleshoot network issues. Also, Speedtest CLI is really scriptable, allowing the data to be pushed to monitoring tools like Prometheus or Grafana. It is really useful because it makes it easy to see the state of the network at any time, allowing network issues to be spotted at a glance.

Installing Speedtest CLI

Getting started with Speedtest CLI is a breeze. The installation process is straightforward and typically involves just a few simple steps, depending on your operating system.

On macOS:

  1. Homebrew: If you have Homebrew installed, you can simply run: brew install speedtest-cli
  2. Standalone Binary: Download the macOS binary from the official Speedtest CLI website and place it in a directory included in your system's PATH.

On Linux:

  1. Package Managers: Many Linux distributions offer Speedtest CLI in their repositories. For example, on Debian/Ubuntu, you can use: sudo apt install speedtest-cli
  2. Standalone Binary: Similar to macOS, you can download the Linux binary and add it to your PATH.

On Windows:

  1. Chocolatey: If you have Chocolatey installed, use: choco install speedtestcli
  2. Standalone Binary: Download the Windows binary and add its directory to your system's PATH environment variable.

After installation, verify that Speedtest CLI is correctly installed by opening your terminal or command prompt and typing speedtest. If it's working, you should see the Speedtest CLI interface and available commands. If you get an error, double-check that the installation directory is in your system's PATH.

Note: Adding the installation directory to your system's PATH is crucial. This allows you to run the speedtest command from any location in your terminal without having to specify the full path to the executable. Guys, make sure you get this step right; otherwise, you'll be scratching your head wondering why the command isn't working.

Using Speedtest CLI

Once you've successfully installed Speedtest CLI, you're ready to start testing your internet speed. The basic usage is incredibly simple:

  1. Open your terminal or command prompt.
  2. Type speedtest and press Enter.

The CLI will automatically connect to the nearest Speedtest server and perform a download and upload speed test. The results will be displayed in your terminal, showing your ping, download speed, and upload speed.

Advanced Options:

  • speedtest --help: Displays a list of available options and commands.
  • speedtest --server [server ID]: Specifies a particular server to use for the test. You can find a list of server IDs using speedtest --list.
  • speedtest --share: Generates a shareable URL with the test results.
  • speedtest --simple: Displays the results in a simplified format.
  • speedtest --bytes: Displays the results in bytes instead of bits.
  • speedtest --version: Displays the version number of the Speedtest CLI.

Example Usage:

  • To test against a specific server: speedtest --server 1234
  • To get a shareable link: speedtest --share
  • To display results in bytes: speedtest --bytes

The Speedtest CLI tool is designed to be user-friendly, even for those who are not command-line experts. The --help option is your best friend, providing a comprehensive overview of all available commands and options. By experimenting with these options, you can tailor the speed tests to your specific needs and gain a deeper understanding of your internet connection's performance. Imagine you want to test the speed to a server in another state. By using the --server option, you can pinpoint issues on different networks. Also, imagine your users are complaining about slow network speeds. You can create a script that the users will execute and send you the results, which will allow you to troubleshoot their issues. The possibilities are endless!

Benefits of Using Speedtest CLI

Why should you use Speedtest CLI over the web-based interface? Here are some compelling reasons:

  • Automation: Speedtest CLI is perfect for automating speed tests. You can schedule tests to run regularly and log the results for performance monitoring.
  • Scripting: Integrate speed tests into your scripts and applications. This is useful for network diagnostics and troubleshooting.
  • Remote Testing: Run speed tests on servers and remote machines without a graphical interface. This is essential for system administrators and developers.
  • Lightweight: The CLI is much lighter than the web-based interface, making it faster and more efficient.
  • Accurate Results: You can trust the results, as they are powered by the same reliable Speedtest by Ookla engine.
  • Customization: The CLI offers a variety of options to customize the tests to your specific needs.

The Speedtest CLI empowers you to take control of your internet connection. It provides valuable insights into your network's performance, allowing you to identify bottlenecks, troubleshoot issues, and ensure you're getting the bandwidth you're paying for. For instance, if you are a gamer, you know that your ping matters a lot. You could run a Speedtest CLI script before each game to ensure that you are connecting to the server with the lowest ping possible. Also, this is really useful if you are a content creator that uploads videos regularly. Knowing your upload speed will allow you to plan when to upload content and give time estimations to your fans. Guys, trust me: your fans will appreciate it!

Conclusion

The Speedtest CLI tool is a valuable asset for anyone who wants to monitor and understand their internet connection's performance. Its simplicity, efficiency, and automation capabilities make it a must-have for developers, system administrators, and everyday users alike. By leveraging the power of the command line, you can gain deeper insights into your network and ensure a smooth and reliable online experience. So, ditch the browser, embrace the terminal, and unleash the power of Speedtest CLI! You won't regret it. The Speedtest CLI will be one of your favorite tools. Thank me later! Speedtest CLI is a game changer! With this tool you will be able to troubleshoot network issues in no time!