Thread: [How-To] Speed test your seedbox

I've finally taken the time to set-up my speed box and decided I needed to speed test it. I noticed that AM1 posted how he speed tested his box but it was a bit vague so I'm going to pick up where he left off and provide a detailed tutorial to the community. If this is helpful to you,

This guide assumes you are running a dedicated server with root access.

**Note** My server is CentOS if you cannot figure out how to adapt the commands in this guide please post the server you have and I would be glad to add it to the tutorial **

First things first, we need to install VNC on your server. Your going to need to SSH into your server. For windows users, you can download the client PuTTY linux users probably don't need this guide in the first place (If you do need help getting this set-up with linux, just ask!)

Once you've downloaded PuTTY fire it up and login as either your root user or a standard user. If you do not know your root password I would recommend asking your webhost for help in finding it, you WILL need to know it.

Once logged in, we're going to download vnc.

Type the following into the command prompt.

(If you are copy-pasting, copy as normal and then RIGHT-CLICK within the PuTTY terminal to paste!)

Code:

sudo yum install vnc-server

(If it asks for your password, type your root password there!)



After hitting enter, vnc will be installed automatically. After the install (If you are running a firewall on your server!) you will need to open ports 5900 and 5901.

Okay, the next step is to create a directory for the user you will be connecting to vnc with. You can use the username you currently use to login via FTP.

To create the directory type the following into PuTTY

Code:

mkdir /home/GraphiK/.vnc/

(Replacing 'GraphiK' with your ftp username!)

Now you will need to set-up the password for the user that will be connecting to vnc. If you have logged in with PuTTY on your root account, log off and log back on as the user that will be connecting to vnc. (Your FTP user!) Otherwise, your ready to continue.

Enter the command:

Code:

vncpasswd

It will ask you to enter and verify your password.

Next we will set-up your xstartup file. Type the following:

Code:

vi /home/GraphiK/.vnc/xstartup

(Again, replacing 'GraphiK' with your user)

You will see a screen like the following:


Once at this screen, hit 'i' on your keyboard, you will see the bottom text now changes to '--INSERT--'



You will now be able to insert text into the terminal. Copy and Paste the following. (Remember, to paste into the terminal RIGHT-CLICK your mouse!)

Code:

#!/bin/sh
# Uncomment the following two lines for normal desktop:
unset SESSION_MANAGER
exec /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc
[ -x /etc/vnc/xstartup ] && exec /etc/vnc/xstartup
[ -r $HOME/.Xresources ] && xrdb $HOME/.Xresources
xsetroot -solid grey
vncconfig -iconic &
xterm -geometry 80×24+10+10 -ls -title “$VNCDESKTOP Desktop” &
startx &
exec gnome-session &

Now that we have finished editing that file hit the 'ESC' button and then type ':' followed by 'x' and hit enter to save and exit.



Once you are back at the regular terminal screen enter:

Code:

chmod u+x /home/GraphiK/.vnc/xstartup

Remember to change 'GraphiK' to the name of your user!

As root, you will need to edit one file:

Code:

sudo vi /etc/sysconfig/vncservers

The same way you edited the previous file, add this to the bottom of this file.
Type 'i'
Copy and paste the code below:

Code:

VNCSERVERS="1:GraphiK"
VNCSERVERARGS[1]=”-geometry 1024×768 -depth 16″
VNCSERVERARGS[2]=”-geometry 800×600 -depth 16″
VNCSERVERARGS[3]=”-geometry 1024×768 -depth 16″

Remember to change 'GraphiK' to the name of your user!

Save and exit by hitting 'ESC' followed by ':' + 'x' and hitting enter.

Next we are going to install gnome and xwindows.

In the terminal, type:

Code:

sudo yum groupinstall “X Window System”

The X Window System will install. Once completed type:

Code:

sudo yum groupinstall “GNOME Desktop Environment”

This will install gnome.

Next we will install Firefox:

Code:

sudo yum install firefox

Followed by flash:

Code:

yum install flash-plugin

After this you should be set!

Start your vnc server by typing one last command into the terminal:

Code:

service vncserver start

You should see a green 'OK'

At this point you are ready to login to your server. Download RealVNC or any other vnc client and type your server name or IP followed by ' :1' for me it is as follows:



Take notice to the space between the url and the ':01'.

VNC will prompt you for a password, enter here the password you set-up earlier and you should be greeted with a desktop. Now all you need to do is load up the web browser on the desktop, hop over to speedtest.net and take the test.

You will not be able to copy and paste the url to your speed test between the vnc client and your computer. So you may want to email the url to yourself before closing the client.

I hope this helped some of you. If you have any problems please post them in this thread and I'll do my best to help you out!



Don't forget to rep if this was helpful to you!

-GraphiK

Nice guide but one thing to mention is that I would not recommend installing GNOME just for a speedtest. Rather install either xmonad,dwm or openbox but overall simple guide

sudo yum install vnc-server giving me a command not found error? any ideas

:( i have root access but cant do the commands

I wish I could do this, unfortunately I don't have root access.. meh

I have to hand it to you though, very nice tutorial!

I just used:

apt-get -f install
apt-get install flashplugin-nonfree

Don't be a dick and steal shit then call it your own:

How To Speed Test Your Seedbox | THE source for BitTorrent & P2P Tips, Tricks and Info. | FileShareFreak

Any idea how to do a speedtest on a headless server?

any solution for the "COMMAND NOT FOUND" error?