LabTech Plugin: SpeedTest v2
Posted on March 29, 2016
Since the Ookla Speedtest seems to still be one of our most popular, we thought it time to give it some attention. First of all, not that anyone using the script CAN continue to do so. The plugin will continue to work as it has for you. However, on to the good stuff.
The biggest change is that the plugin no longer needs or uses a script to perform the speed test. Instead, you enable testing to occur on the machine at the top of the computer window. When enabled, the speed test will be performed every time the network inventory is sent. This allows a consistent time frame without the need to schedule or troubleshoot a script. Another big change is that results are now kept in the database for 60 days and cleaned up automatically, not through the script. This allows better history and reduced load on the database with removing old entries every scan. Additionally, you can optionally specify the server id you want used for the scan. If the results normally vary across servers for you, this can provide more consistency. The last change is that the speed gauges are gone on the computer screen. They weren’t as useful as we hoped and added unnecessary clutter.
Update: This plugin is now compatible with LT 10.0, 10.5, and 11!
How to setup and use this plugin:
1: Install via the Plugin Install.
2: Restart the Control Center.
3: Update plugins via Commands -> LabTech -> Update Plugins. This is optional as it will happen automatically eventually, but you can do this manually to speed up the process for individual computers or groups/locations/clients.
4: Open up any computer that you want regular speed tests on and click on the slider at the top to enable them. You can also optionally specify the server ID to use.
Once done, a new file is created in the LTSvc directory called speedtest (no extension). Leave this file alone. It will be deleted if/when you disable speed tests on the machine. Update network inventory on the machine and you’ll see the results in the SpeedTest tab.
[…] We greatly appreciate all feedback received and are thrilled that this plugin can now benefit more people! Get more information and install the plugin here. […]
Hi guys, I am using the script rather than the plugin as I want to schedule it for specific machines. How can I amend the script to use the serverID I want used?
[…] NOTE: This plugin has received lots of updates and is in version 2.x. Check it out here! […]
Is there a way to schedule this to run against a group? Do you include a script to fire off the speedtest? Thanks
Matt,
Because the speedtest is now done whenever a network inventory is done, you can schedule the network inventory or a script to run the network inventory against any group you like.
Hope that helps!
Thanks,
Tim
We are seeing an error saying ‘error retrieving the information’ whenever we try to run. Any ideas?
James,
This issue should now be resolved. Please update via the plugin installer. Sorry about that!
Thanks,
Tim
Nice plugin, this is very helpful. I have noticed some wildly high upload numbers though. Sometimes as high as 500 to 1000 mbps. Download numbers tend to be pretty consistent.
Mark,
The newer version of the plugin cli tool will return the maximum value received, and thus can fluctuate more. If you want an average, the older versions did that. 🙂
Thanks for the feedback!
Tim
Is there an easy way a labtech noob such as myself can export results from a single machine into a spreadsheet or make it available for printing? I know this is probably a dumb question, but was hoping for a quick easy answer.
Jim,
Great question. As of right now, there’s no feature to export the results. However, I’ll get that added tonight and you should see it tomorrow after an autoupdate.
Thanks!
Tim
Ditto. This functionality would be great!!
Jim & Matt,
Thanks much for your input. I’ve updated the plugin to include the ability to export computer and location select Excel sheets, including all items or only selected items. You can update via the Plugin Installer (https://squattingdog.net/plugininstaller).
Thanks!
Tim
Tim, you sir are the man. The export function works perfectly.
Thanks
Just installed this and I’m getting an error in the Commands tab “Output: ERR an error occurred: Access to the path ‘C:\Windows\ltsvc\speedtest’ is denied.”
Mike,
I would typically think the av is blocking the download for some reason. You did download the speedtest.exe file as indicated, right? Also, are you seeing this at multiple locations?
Thanks!
Tim
Found the issue. The system I tested it on had been using the old version of the plugin. There was a directory call SpeedTest which was preventing the new plugin from creating a file called speedtest. When I deleted the directory the problem went away.
It might be an idea to have an extension on that file to prevent this.
Mike,
Thanks for pointing that out. I’ll get that taken care of.
Tim
Not fixed, just had the same problem again today due to an existing SpeedTest directory
I’ve installed the plug-in and confirmed it is loaded (Plug-In Manager). I’ve also confirmed the existence of the file (L:\Transfer\Tools\speedtest.exe). One the machines I have assigned to participate in SpeedTest, there is a 1k file (c:\Windows\LTSvc\speedtest).
When running an inventory, there do not seem to be any test results (even though the inventory completes). I am using LabTech 10.5.259 (Patch 3). Is there something that I am missing?
Would love to get this working.
John,
Did you already close and re-open the computer window to see if it didn’t automatically populate for some reason? If you will, shoot me an email at support@squattingdog.net and I’ll help get you taken care of.
Thanks!
Tim
I seem to be lost on step 2..I dont have an L:\ drive on my PC. What am I doing wrong?
Colin,
Your L:\ would normally point to \\labtechserver\ltshare. If you don’t have it, you can connect to the server itself and put the exe file in the proper place there. The server should definitely have the L: mapped.
Hope that helps!
Tim
Hello Tim,
Nice meeting you at AN16.
I know it is possible to export the results to a report or excel sheet, is there a way to get the report to include the graph, if not I can continue to export to excel and model the data there into a graph. Awesome work!
Thank you,
Alex
Alex,
Not right now, but I can certainly see the value in that. I’ll get it on the wishlist.
Thanks, and nice meeting you, too!
Tim
Sounds good. Also just installed the dUninstaller plugin. Great work there.
Thank you.
Alex
I could use some help, this looks so awesome and I really want it to work!
I have installed the plugin manager, installed speedtest and downloaded the exe file. I downloaded the speedtest.exe file from helpful hacker and placed it in the directory below on our labtech server.
\\localhost\ltshare\Transfer\Tools
I closed and relaunched the control center, and ran a network inventory refresh on a server that has the slider moved to on in the speedtest tab. I hit the refresh button, closed the machine, then reopened it. Still nothing. I did a system reload at the top and closed and relaunched labtech but nothing is on the tab.
What am I doing wrong here guys?
Doug,
Did you rename the file to speedtest.exe? When a network inventory runs, the last few lines of the letters.txt file on the computer should give more information about what’s going on. If you can send that log file to support@squattingdog.net, I’ll make sure to get you taken care of.
Thanks,
Tim
Where is this log file located exactly? Thank you so much for your help!
C:\windows\ltsvc\lterrors.txt. This file is on the server that you are testing.
hello guys,
i follow the instructions but still not work.
said
Parameters: %windir%\ltsvc\speedtest\
Output: Error deleting directories – check local log file
Edpinzon,
That error is okay. The process will attempt to delete that directory if it exists, as an old form of the plugin used that directory. It replaces it with a small file named speedtest. Are you still not seeing results? If not, shoot an email to support@squattingdog.net.
Thanks!
Tim
Downloaded and installed this today for LT 10.5. The plugin installed just fine and I renamed the speedtest.exe file in the proper location. However, the plugin fails to actually produce anything and I don’t see the speedtest.exe on the target machine. Where is supposed to transfer too? I have manually transferred it to the LTSVC folder and can manually run it there to make sure the exe is not corrupted. Just need to know how to match all of the pieces.
Joe,
After installing, did you enable speed tests from the Speedtest tab? Once that’s done, speed tests should start occurring when you do a network inventory. If you still have a problem after doing that, please email support@squattingdog.net and I’ll make sure you get you taken care of.
Thanks!
Tim
Works like a charm in LT11 too! But the Tab on each computer is only visible in the classic view. Not in the new GUI.
Some development work to do?
Bas,
I believe that a recent patch has caused issues with the plugin appearing in LT 10.5 patch 8 that may have also manifested in LT 11. A fix is in the works.
Thanks for the information!
Tim
Hi Tim. Hate asking for help on a free product, but I don’t seem to be getting any results. I’ve downloaded the tool, renamed it to speedtest.exe and put it in the ltshare\transfer\tool folder. I’ve enabled it in the classic computer screen (running LT 11), and I can see the speedtest file being created in windows\ltsvc, but all it contains is a ‘0’. Any ideas what I may be missing? Thanks in advance!
Hey Colin,
This is most likely the same issue as the one affecting the plugin with 10.5 patch 8+. I am working on a fix and getting it tested, but it hasn’t been released yet.
Sorry for the delay on that, but I hope to have it fixed soon!
Thanks,
Tim
I just downloaded and installed V 2.91 and am experiencing the same result. I’ve enabled it in the classic computer screen (running LT 11 – LT hosted version), and I can see the speedtest file being created in windows\ltsvc, but all it contains is a ‘0’. The speedtest plugin screen does not show any data. I also made sure that the current speedtest.exe is in my ltshare\transfer\tools folder on my LT hosted server.
Kent,
If you will, email support@squattingdog.net so I can have a look with you.
Thanks!
Tim
Just installed on LT 11.0.331 (Patch 6) and no data is being pulled back into the Speedtest information.
Ideas? I am not seeing any errors.
Hey Guys, another labtech 11 here. Installed correctly but no results are being populated.
Hey Barry,
I got your email and replied. If you will, follow-up there and I’ll be sure to get you up and running.
Thanks!
Tim
Hey Tim, don’t see your email. Please shoot me another. Thanks!!!!
Any update on this? Thanks!
Cliff,
Can you be more specific? I think the reported issue has been addressed. If not, please feel free to shoot me an email.
Thanks,
Tim
I too have just installed the plugin for LT11 and get no results returned… 🙁 is there a newer version of the plugin in development or do I have to do something different for LT11?
Mat,
Would you mind shooting an email over to support@squattingdog.net so I can have a look at this with you? I’ve seen it working successfully for several with LT11, so I’d like to see what exactly isn’t working for you.
Thanks,
Tim
Any chance this will be updated for LT11? I can only enable on agents when using the old Comp Mgmt Screen.
Hey Tim,
This has been done. Thanks for the request!
Thanks,
Tim
We also attempted to use this with LT11. We didn’t have it installed before the upgrade. But we did install it post upgrade. I installed the plugin and placed the executable in the ‘L’ drive. The plugin loads, but testing won’t display in the window. When I run the .exe from CLI, I can see the speedtest results, but nothing in LT window.
Steve,
Once the plugin is enabled, you may need to update remote plugins for any computers that need to have automatic Speedtests done. Once the plugins are updated and speedtests enabled for the computer, the test will run during any network inventory. I apologize that this isn’t better included as instruction.
Thanks,
TIm
Hello,
Would you be able to provide a script so we can enable this a bit quicker (without going into the comp mgmt screen)?
I tried but failed, as there is more to it than:
INSERT INTO plugin_speedtest_enabled
VALUES (6303, 1)
Appreciate it!
I seeing his plugin reporting incorrect upload speeds, I recently tested a customer’s 40Mb leased line and it said the upload speed was only 5Mb. I just tried on a brand new fibre line and I’m seeing similar results.
Seeing a similar result, testing against 50/50, 100/100, and other various lines. Seeing closer to expected speeds when testing via browser on the machine via Ookla / Speedtest.net.
We’re seeing something similar. Server has 500×500 symmetric and the plugin is reporting closer to 500×12. Speedtest.net in the browser seems to be working fine.
I am seeing the same issue with some of our clients.
I’ve downloaded and installed the plugin but it’s not providing any information back to the plugin UI ??
Tim,
Can you try refreshing plugins on the computer and re-running the test to see if it works? If not, shoot me an email at support@squattingdog.net.
Thanks!
Tim
Hi Tim,
I came in this morning and it’s actually done a test.
Now that the test is done during a network inventory, am I looking at one test per day or should I be scheduling a network inventory collection every 30 mins or so?
What do you recommend?
Tim,
It depends on how you want to use the information. I would probably recommend at least twice per day, once in the morning, once in the afternoon, so that you have a good baseline should slowness be reported by the clients. If you simply want to report on it monthly or just occasionally look for obvious outliers, once per day should be sufficient.
Thanks,
Tim
Hi
This installed fine but I’m unsure where I should be setting the automatic schedule for the speedtests. I assume this is possible?
Thanks
Hi Luca,
Speed test results are retrieved whenever network information is retrieved. So you can caused network information to be refreshed as often as necessary to get new speed test results.
Thanks,
Tim
We’re using CW Automate’s cloud service. Can this plugin be installed on our cloud server? I haven’t seen any documentation that supports this, but thought I’d check.
Andrew,
Sure can. The plugin installer isn’t biased. 🙂
Thanks,
Tim
Hmm, I must be missing something then. The installer I found here is .EXE. The plugin manager for CW Automate requires it to be a .dll in order to upload.
It’s a great little plugin, but as reported above, it reports unreliable upload results for some endpoints so is unfortunately not really usable.
Some endpoints report accurate upload speeds, but not all.
Any chance you could fix it tim?
Erin,
This is unfortunately a problem with the exe tool being used to query the test results. It’s called speedtest-cli. The plugin simply parses the results from that and it often times has inconsistent results. Unfortunately I don’t have any kind of fix for that, and I’ve yet to find a more accurate tool – or even another tool that is even similar in functionality that’s free.
Thanks,
Tim
Any support for v12 yet?
Yep. It’s been working with v12. 🙂
Thanks,
Tim
Thanks for a great plugin!
I managed to get it working quickly and also setup reports to send to clients.
One question: Is there a way to clear the computer’s speedtest history?
tks
Kevin,
There’s not a way within the plugin. However, you can pretty easily clean up any results with a quick sql query:
DELETE FROM plugin_speedtest WHERE computerid=XX (replacing XX with the computer ID)
Thanks,
Tim