Google and friends release Internet test tools

Is your broadband service slow? Or do you notice that certain traffic is slow while other traffic is not? There is a growing concern that ISPs are throttling different types of data, especially P2P BitTorrent traffic and traffic from competitors. On that news, Google and a group of partners announced the release of tools through the M-Lab project. The tools will allow users to test broadband connections, and allow security experts to learn better ways to secure the Net.

The M-Lab project tools include a network diagnostic tool, a network path diagnostic tool, and Glasnost, a tool designed to check if BitTorrent traffic is blocked or throttled. The project offers new tools in the future, including one to check if certain types of traffic is blocked or throttled compared to other types. M-Lab is a direct result of Comcast’s decision to throttle VOIP packets from competitors, but not their own VOIP service. The FCC stepped in a sent a letter to Comcast, letting them know they violated law with their practice. Comcast has been silent about M-Labs. The tools are easy to use and worth checking out if you think your traffic pattern is strange.

Read [PC World]