Windows 7: Any way to increase FTP data transfer rate over the internet?

My upload limit is about 2.4 mbps. I tried downloading a file from my newly created FTP server to my GF's computer which is about 25 miles away. The download speed was about 200 - 250 Kbps. I've downloaded large files via torrent to her computer at 1.0 mbps (slightly faster on rare occassions) before, so I know her bandwidth limit is well above 200Kbps. Is there any way to increase this speed? Does windows have any default restrictions on bandwidth allocation for FTP's? Or is FTP just inherently slow?

I should also mention that I'm not using any file transfer software, just the default Windows 7 FTP manager.

First thing I always clarify in these sorts of threads are the units in which data is quoted.

Your line speed is measured in Megabits per second (Capital M, Small b).

File sizes are quoted in Kilobytes and Megabytes (Capital K/M, Capital B).

There are 8 Megabits in a Megabyte.

Check your upload speed at Speedtest.net - The Global Broadband Speed Test.

Now divide that by 8.

That is how many Kilobytes can be uploaded to the internet per second.

You should now find that the sums start to add up.

If they still don't add up (allowing about a 10% margin for error) then post back.

File transfers are dictated by the slowest data transfer speed, which in this case is your upload speed therefore she will be able to download files at the same rate you are uploading at.

You can only change your upload speed by paying for an Expensive SDSL Line or the cable equivalent of SDSL.

In answer to your question windows doesn't restrict any upload or download speeds unless you put something in place to do so.

If I've missed anything, you need more explanation or just have a question please ask.

Oli

I am well aware of the difference between a bit and a byte. The speed I provided was MB, not Mb. I'm paying top dollar for a high bandwidth limit. My upload bandwidth is a bit (no pun intended) less than 20 megabits, my down is about 40 megabits (+/- 1Mb/sec. nominal). I already did a speed test to determine my down/upload speed (which only verified that I was being allowed the bandwidth I am paying for). I forget what the exact number I observed while testing the upload was, but it was just shy of 2.5 megabytes/Second, which is about 20 megabits/second (what I'm paying for). By the way, thank you in advance for whatever help you guys may be able to provide. I'll be contacting my ISP on Monday as well; in case they are responisible.

You've got some lightening fast Internet there!

I would imagine that the slow download speed is due to either a slow download speed on the cable/phone line (you've already said this is unlikely though) or it may be that one of your ISPs clamps down certain ports to limit data flow (my ISP does this at peek times with torrenting ports), also if it was during a peek period the download rate could also have been slower.

There is always the unlikely chance that a piece of cable that links your houses is limited to 200KB/s... but this again is unlikely.

Oli

Yes, I've considered that my ISP may be throttling or clamping my up/down speed in which case I will be pissed, since such a large bandwidth is useless in most cases, anyway. That is why I'll be contacting my ISP for some possible insight. If they are responsible, I'm going to downgrade to the 20/10 megabit connection which costs a fraction of what I'm paying now. The more I look into it, the more my ISP appears to be a palausible suspect.

You may have a very good connection, but you didn't say what your girlfriends connection is. This,

doesn't say anything about what her upload speed is supposed to be.

I'm not uploading files from my girl friend's PC so I'm not sure how that factors in. To the best of my knowledge, she should be able to at least upload 200Kb/s, give or take. I'm attempting to dowload large files from my computer to her's via FTP. From what I can tell, my upload should at least meet if not exceed her download bandwidth, which, as I said, is definately capable of 1 MB/s.

Post back after you make the call.

Oli