How do I obtain true network throughput data on a Windows XP network? 
I could send a file of known size, and time it, but perhaps there's a
tool that will give kbytes/s in real time?  If there is nothing built
into XP, is there a tool I can download?  I would also like to be able
to measure Internet download speeds.

Hello michael2,

I believe I know of a tool inside Windows XP that will meet your
requirements. If you are not satisfied with this, I have a neat third
party link at the bottom. (In fact I recommend you use the third party
tool, but tried to help you find something inside of Windows XP first
as requested).

First, press CTRL-ALT-DEL. The Windows Task Manager should launch.
Click on "Networking".

Here you should see all of your network connections and their current
network utilization. (You can easily do calculations based on the link
speed and network utilization %).

But it does not end there, under the View menu, click on Select
Columns.
Make sure that the following are all checked:

Network Utilization
Link Speed
State
Bytes Sent Throughput
Bytes Received Throughput
Bytes Throughput
Bytes Sent
Bytes Received
Bytes
Bytes Sent/Interval
Bytes Received/Interval
Bytes/Interval

You can use all of these statistics to find your speed. For example,
when I send a 200mb file over my wireless network, my network
utilization is 59% of 11Mbps. 59% multiplied by 11mbps = 6.49Mbps.

======================

Third Party Tool:

http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/network/nsl.htm
Awesome little utility! I installed this to test it for you and am
hooked. It shows a the current and average speeds for incoming,
outgoing and even tracks how many MB you have uploaded and downloaded
since reboot! This app is completely free. You can right click and
configure which network adapter you want to measure speed with.
SOURCE: http://mackque.2trak.com/speed.html

I do hope this is the type of answer you were hoping for. Please let
me know if you need any clarification. I will do my best to further
assist you as best as I can.

tisme-ga


Search Strategy:

I found the nifty Analog X NetStat Live tool by searching for:
"measure speed" windows xp utility

No only one option, but both!

Hi.

I use Kerio Persaonl Firewall to measure ingoing and outgoing
connections. You can download it here:
http://www.kerio.com/dwn/kpf2-en-win.exe

After you install and rebooot, it will prompt you for all connections.
If you haven't set up a firewall before, you can safely click "Create
appropriate filter and don't ask  me again" and "Permit" for programs
you trust. Or alternatively you can right click on the tray icon
(shaped like a shield, choose "Administration" and move the slider
down to its lowest setting ("Permit Unknown") and click OK.

Now that it is setup properly, double click on the shield. In the
status bar of the window that pops up you will see "Total Rx Speed"
and "Total Tx Speed."

Total Rx Speed is the speed at which data is coming to your computer,
and Total Tx Speed is that rate at which it's being sent. You can also
see the TX/RX rates for individual applications inside this window.

Hope that helps. For something a little simpler, you can also try
http://www.dslreports.com/stest, but I believe this method is more
accurate.