System Checker for Computer Lab

Let's Go Learn Flash Test for Computer Labs or Multiple Computers

DIRECT URL TO THIS PAGE: www.letsgolearn.com/flashtest2/

We highly recommend you visit the System/Network Requirements page for detailed information on computer and network recommendations.

There are two uses for this test:

1. FLASH PLUG-IN TESTER

Here you can test to see if you have the correct flash plug-in to use our system. Click on the "Start Test" button to begin the flash test. A pop-up window will appear with a flash movie of a spinning banana. You should be able to HEAR and SEE the graphic.

If you cannot SEE the graphic and HEAR the "testing 1, 2, 3..." audio, go to the:

--> Troubleshooting for Flash Plug-in Page.

Repeat this test for every computer that uses our system in your computer lab or network.

2. NETWORK/BANDWIDTH LOAD TEST

The table below has several links that open different flash files that communicate with the Let's Go Learn server as would a real student if he or she were performing a live assessment.

Completed is the number of callbacks successfully received by the computer being tested
Attempts is the number of callbacks made to the Let's Go Learn server

Test Procedure: Single or multiple computer lab test

You can run this test on multiple computers at once to simulate the network load in a real lab situation or use with a single computer as well. On each computer, open up this page in its web browser. Then click on the "Test Now" link on the table to begin the flash test. A pop-up window will appear with a flash movie of a spinning banana. At the top right of the flash movie, you will see the number of attempts and number completed count up as it loops. The test is considered successful when the number completed equals the number of attempts. This means the callbacks were successful. Success indicates:

• The Flash Plug-in is working on this particular computer with this particular browser
• Your Internet speed is adequate to perform an assessment on this computer at this time

If the number of attempts is higher than the number completed, this means that some of the callbacks were not successful, which may indicate:

• Internet packets may be dropping off.
• Your Internet latency may be greater than the loop length.
• To students it may appear as if the assessment froze, since they clicked and their call either never reached Let's Go Learn, or it reached us but the response never made it back to the computer.

Repeat this test for each loop (2, 5, &10 sec) in both 4k and 18k audio sizes. Be consistent and use the same test for each computer you are concurrently testing.

Troubleshooting and tips results:

• The blue test is the most strenuous test. Most labs will not succeed here, but if you do, your lab is in exceptional condition with regard to Internet access and network hardware.
• Success with the green test and then only partial success with the orange test may result from network or Internet congestion. As more computers come on, your Internet bandwidth is getting choked or your network is choking. Hubs instead of switches are highly likely to cause problems with 6 or more computers. Also, check to make sure you have enough Internet bandwidth with your current ISP. Refer to our System/Network Requirements page for details. Keep in mind that even though you may have the recommended internet speed, it is being shared among other aspects of your network.
• If you have failures while all the computers are being tested, close all test windows and try again with fewer computers.
• Failures in the orange on one computer or with many computers. Seems the same regardless of the number of computers: Internet access is slow. Network set-up is probably OK. It may be that many other people are accessing the Internet at the same time as you are doing your testing. Consider Internet access upgrade for the lab.
• Success in the orange on one computer but "non-success" with multiple computers: Single computer in the orange means you have high latency in your Internet access caused either by too many people using the Internet at the time of the test or by your bandwidth being too low. Upgrading Internet bandwidth from your provider may help. Non-success with multiple computers means your packets are dropping off as more computers come online. This can be caused by further aggravation of your slow Internet access or by a slow network. Be sure you aren't using hubs, which suffer from network collisions, and replace with switches in the lab.
• Non-success in the orange with one computer: Internet access bandwidth is not adequate due to network traffic or not meeting system requirements. Try the same test after hours when other users are not accessing the Internet. If it speeds up and you get green or orange zone success, then you know for sure that your daytime Internet bandwidth is too low for your site's needs.

Support document 070

Tags:

flash tester check doc#70 bandwidth checker 070