Connection Speed Setting - ApertureViewer/Aperture-Viewer GitHub Wiki

Understanding the Connection Speed Setting in Aperture Viewer

The Connection Speed (Kbps) setting in the Networks & Files tab of your Preferences floater is a setting that controls how Aperture Viewer manages its network bandwidth. However, it's crucial to understand what type of data this setting actually affects and what it does not control.

Key Takeaway: The Connection Speed (Kbps) setting in Aperture Viewer primarily controls the bandwidth used for real-time UDP data. It has very little to no direct impact on the speed at which textures, meshes, and objects load when you enter a region (scene loading).

[!TIP] (TL;DR) For the best experience, run an internet speed test, convert your download speed to Kbps (Mbps x 1000), and set the "Connection Speed (Kbps)" in Preferences to that value or slightly lower. This helps optimize real-time interactions in Second Life. Want to know why and understand more? Read on for detailed explanations!

Aperture Viewer has been specifically updated to remove the previous artificial bandwidth clamp. The maximum possible value for the Connection Speed setting has been intentionally raised to 1,000,000 Kbps (1 Gbps). This means Aperture Viewer will no longer impose a 6 Mbps limit on UDP bandwidth, allowing users with very high-speed internet connections to potentially utilize more bandwidth for real-time interactions. However, it's important to understand that for most users and in most situations, changing this setting in reality will likely have little noticeable impact on their Second Life experience. The primary factors affecting performance are often related to HTTP asset downloads, server load, and general internet conditions, which are not directly controlled by this setting.

What Data IS Controlled by the Connection Speed Setting (UDP Data):

This setting affects data transmitted using the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), which is used for real-time, interactive elements in Second Life. This includes:

  • Avatar Position and Movement Updates: Ensures smooth, real-time display of avatar movements for you and others.
  • Avatar Animations and Gestures: Keeps animations and gestures synchronized and responsive.
  • Chat and Instant Messages (Real-time Delivery): Facilitates near real-time text and voice communication.
  • Voice Chat Data: Manages the bandwidth for real-time voice conversations.
  • Object Physics and Collisions: Keeps physics interactions in the virtual world synchronized and responsive.
  • Avatar and Object Control Signals: Commands for interacting with objects and the environment.
  • Wind and Cloud Data: Environmental effects data updated in real-time.

In short, the Connection Speed setting manages bandwidth for data that needs to be:

  • Real-time and Interactive: Focuses on immediate responsiveness and synchronization within the virtual world.
  • Tolerant of Occasional Data Loss: UDP is designed for speed, and some packet loss is acceptable for these types of real-time updates.

What Data is NOT Controlled by the Connection Speed Setting (HTTP Data):

This setting does not control data transferred using the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). HTTP is used for reliable, bulk data transfer, and it's the primary method for downloading visual assets in Second Life. This includes:

  • Textures: For avatars, objects, terrain, and the environment.
  • Meshes (3D Models): For avatars, objects, buildings, and terrain.
  • Sounds (Asset Files): Sound files used in Second Life.
  • Objects (Object Definitions and Properties): Data describing objects and their behavior.
  • Website Content in Media Floaters: Web pages loaded in media viewers.
  • Inventory Assets (Icons and Data): When you access your inventory.

Why Scene Loading Time is NOT Affected:

Scene loading, the process of downloading and rendering the visual environment when you enter a region, is primarily driven by HTTP asset downloads. Textures, meshes, and objects are all downloaded via HTTP.

Therefore, adjusting the Connection Speed (Kbps) setting will have little to no direct impact on how quickly a scene loads. Scene loading speed is primarily determined by:

  • Your Overall Internet Download Speed (HTTP Download Speed): The speed of your internet plan.
  • Second Life Asset Server Performance: How quickly Second Life's servers can deliver HTTP assets.
  • General Internet Congestion: Network traffic between you and Second Life servers.

When Does the Connection Speed Setting Matter?

While it doesn't control scene loading, the Connection Speed (Kbps) setting can be more relevant for your experience within a region after it has loaded, especially in these situations:

  • Crowded Regions and Events: High avatar density increases UDP data for positions, animations, and chat. A higher setting might improve real-time responsiveness in very crowded areas.
  • Physics-Intensive Regions: Regions with complex physics simulations generate more UDP physics updates. More bandwidth could lead to smoother physics interactions.
  • Heavy Voice Chat Usage: Regions with many voice chat users increase UDP voice traffic. A higher setting might improve voice clarity in these scenarios.

Testing Your Internet Connection Speed (and Setting the Value):

Testing your internet download speed is still a good practice to get a baseline for your connection's capabilities. You can easily test your download speed using online speed test websites. Here's how:

  1. Open a web browser on your computer.
  2. Go to a speed test website. Popular and free options include:
  3. Run the speed test. Click the "Go," "Start," or similar button on the speed test website to begin the test.
  4. Note your Download Speed. The speed test will measure and display your download speed, usually in Mbps (Megabits per second).

Once you have your download speed in Mbps, you can convert it to Kbps (Kilobits per second) by multiplying by 1000:

Conversion: Download Speed in Kbps = Download Speed in Mbps * 1000

Example: If your speed test shows a download speed of 50 Mbps, your download speed in Kbps is 50 * 1000 = 50,000 Kbps.

Now you can use online speed tests to measure your download speed in Mbps and convert it to Kbps for the "Connection Speed (Kbps)" setting.

However, understand that this setting primarily influences UDP data. Setting it accurately can help optimize real-time interactions within Second Life, but it will not drastically change scene loading times, which are governed by HTTP download performance.

Recommendation:

  1. Test your internet download speed using online speed tests to get a general idea of your connection speed.
  2. Convert your download speed to Kbps (Mbps * 1000).
  3. Set the "Connection Speed (Kbps)" in Aperture Viewer to a value close to your tested download speed in Kbps. You can start with your tested speed or slightly lower.
  4. Observe your experience within Second Life, especially with real-time interactions in crowded regions or during voice chat.
  5. Adjust the setting slightly if needed based on your observations, but understand its primary impact is on real-time UDP data, not scene loading.

Table: Common Internet Connection Types and Typical Speeds (Kbps Focused)

Connection Type Typical Download Speed (Kbps) Typical Download Speed (Mbps) Typical Download Speed (Gbps) Notes Major Connection Type?
2G (GSM/EDGE) 10-50 Kbps 0.01 - 0.05 Mbps <0.01 Gbps Very slow, mostly for basic text/voice. Yes, but largely outdated in developed nations.
3G (UMTS/HSPA) 384 - 2000 Kbps 0.384 - 2 Mbps <0.01 Gbps Usable for basic web browsing, email. Yes, still present in some areas, being phased out.
4G (LTE) 10,000 - 100,000 Kbps (or more) 10 - 100 Mbps (or more) 0.01 - 0.1 Gbps (or more) Good for streaming video, online gaming, general use. Yes, currently a dominant mobile standard.
5G 50,000 - 1,000,000 Kbps (or more) 50 - 1000 Mbps (or more) 0.05 - 1 Gbps (or more) Very fast, low latency, for demanding applications. Yes, rapidly expanding, becoming the new mobile standard.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) 1000 - 100,000 Kbps 1 - 100 Mbps 0.001 - 0.1 Gbps Speed depends heavily on distance from the provider's central office. Asymmetric speeds (download faster than upload). Yes, common in areas where cable or fiber is not available.
Cable (Cable Broadband) 10,000 - 1,000,000 Kbps 10 - 1000 Mbps (or more) 0.01 - 1 Gbps (or more) Shared bandwidth within a neighborhood can affect speeds during peak hours. Asymmetric speeds. Yes, very common, often competes with DSL and Fiber.
Fiber (Fiber Optic) 100,000 - 10,000,000 Kbps (or more) 100 - 10,000 Mbps (or more) 0.1 - 10 Gbps (or more) Fastest and most reliable, often symmetrical speeds (download and upload are similar). Yes, growing rapidly, considered the future of broadband.
Google Fiber (1 Gigabit) 1,000,000 Kbps 1000 Mbps 1 Gbps Entry-level Google Fiber plan. Symmetrical speeds. Yes, where available, a leading fiber option.
Google Fiber (2 Gigabit) 2,000,000 Kbps 2000 Mbps 2 Gbps Faster Google Fiber plan. Symmetrical speeds. Yes, where available, a leading fiber option.
Google Fiber (5 Gigabit) 5,000,000 Kbps 5000 Mbps 5 Gbps Very High-speed Google Fiber plan. Symmetrical speeds. Yes, where available, a leading fiber option.
Google Fiber (8 Gigabit) 8,000,000 Kbps 8000 Mbps 8 Gbps Top-tier, extremely fast Google Fiber plan. Symmetrical speeds. Yes, where available, a leading fiber option.
Satellite 1000 - 100,000 Kbps 1 - 100 Mbps 0.001 - 0.1 Gbps Higher latency (delay) due to distance to satellites. Speed and reliability can be affected by weather. Yes, primarily used in rural or remote areas where wired options are limited.
Fixed Wireless 10,000 - 100,000 Kbps 10 - 100 Mbps (or more) 0.01 - 0.1 Gbps (or more) Wireless connection to a local tower, alternative to wired broadband. Can be affected by distance and line of sight. Yes, growing as an alternative in areas with limited wired infrastructure.
Dial-up 28-56 Kbps 0.028 - 0.056 Mbps <0.01 Gbps Very slow, uses phone lines, largely obsolete for general internet access in developed nations. No, almost entirely replaced by faster technologies.

Understanding WiFi Bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz) and Speeds

When discussing WiFi, it's important to understand the different frequency bands that WiFi standards operate on: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz. Each band has different characteristics that affect speed, range, and susceptibility to interference. Many routers, including yours, still offer both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands (and newer ones add 6 GHz).

2.4 GHz WiFi:

  • Longer Range: 2.4 GHz signals travel further and penetrate walls and obstacles better than 5 GHz or 6 GHz signals. This makes 2.4 GHz good for covering larger areas or when the router is not in the same room as your device.
  • Slower Speeds: The 2.4 GHz band is more congested and has less bandwidth available compared to 5 GHz and 6 GHz. Therefore, 2.4 GHz WiFi typically offers slower speeds.
  • More Interference: The 2.4 GHz band is also used by many other devices (microwaves, Bluetooth, older cordless phones), leading to more potential interference and reduced performance, especially in densely populated areas.
  • Still Widely Compatible: 2.4 GHz is supported by virtually all WiFi devices, including older ones. It's the most universally compatible band.

5 GHz WiFi:

  • Shorter Range: 5 GHz signals have a shorter range and are more easily blocked by walls than 2.4 GHz.
  • Faster Speeds: The 5 GHz band is less congested and has more bandwidth available, allowing for significantly faster speeds than 2.4 GHz.
  • Less Interference: Generally experiences less interference than 2.4 GHz because fewer devices operate on this band (though 5 GHz is becoming more congested as it becomes more popular).
  • Good Balance: 5 GHz offers a good balance of speed and range for many typical home and office environments.

6 GHz WiFi (Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7):

  • Shortest Range: 6 GHz signals have the shortest range and are most easily blocked by obstacles.
  • Fastest Speeds: The 6 GHz band is the newest and least congested band, offering the potential for the highest speeds and lowest latency.
  • Minimal Interference: Experiences very little interference due to being a new and less crowded band.
  • Requires Newer Devices and Routers: 6 GHz WiFi requires devices and routers that specifically support Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7.

Table: Typical WiFi Speeds (Approx. 2025) - Real-World Download in Kbps, Band-Aware

WiFi Standard (Marketing Name) IEEE Standard Band(s) Theoretical Max Speed (Gbps) Typical Real-World Speed Range (Mbps) Typical Real-World Speed Range (Kbps) Notes and Characteristics (2025 Context)
Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz) (WiFi 4, 802.11n) 802.11n 2.4 GHz 0.6 Gbps (600 Mbps) 2.4 GHz: 30-100 Mbps 5 GHz: 50-150 Mbps (if dual-band) 2.4 GHz: 30,000 - 100,000 Kbps 5 GHz: 50,000 - 150,000 Kbps (if dual-band) Wi-Fi 4 on 2.4 GHz is Limited by Band and Standard. 5 GHz on Wi-Fi 4 (if router/device is dual-band) offers better performance. 2.4 GHz prone to interference.
Wi-Fi 5 (5 GHz) (WiFi 5, 802.11ac) 802.11ac 5 GHz 3.5 Gbps - 6.9 Gbps (Wave 1 & 2) 5 GHz: 200-800 Mbps 5 GHz: 200,000 - 800,000 Kbps Wi-Fi 5 on 5 GHz is Still Good for Broadband in 2025. 5 GHz band offers good speed and less interference than 2.4 GHz.
Wi-Fi 6 (2.4/5 GHz) (WiFi 6, 802.11ax) 802.11ax 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz 9.6 Gbps 2.4 GHz: 50-200 Mbps 5 GHz: 500 Mbps - 1 Gbps 2.4 GHz: 50,000 - 200,000 Kbps 5 GHz: 500,000 - 1,000,000 Kbps Wi-Fi 6 on 2.4 GHz Improves 2.4 GHz Performance, but 5 GHz is Still Faster. Wi-Fi 6 on 5 GHz is Mainstream in 2025, offering excellent speeds and efficiency.
Wi-Fi 6E (2.4/5/6 GHz) (WiFi 6E, 802.11ax with 6 GHz) 802.11ax (extended to 6 GHz) 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, & 6 GHz 9.6 Gbps 2.4 GHz: 50-200 Mbps 5 GHz: 700 Mbps - 1.2 Gbps 6 GHz: 700 Mbps - 1.5 Gbps 2.4 GHz: 50,000 - 200,000 Kbps 5 GHz: 700,000 - 1,200,000 Kbps 6 GHz: 700,000 - 1,500,000 Kbps Wi-Fi 6E Adds 6 GHz for High-Performance, Low Interference. 6 GHz offers the fastest speeds and is ideal for demanding applications. 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands are also available for compatibility.
Wi-Fi 7 (2.4/5/6 GHz) (WiFi 7, 802.11be) 802.11be 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, & 6 GHz Up to 46 Gbps (Theoretical) 2.4 GHz: 100-300 Mbps 5 GHz: 1-2 Gbps+ 6 GHz: 1-3 Gbps+ 2.4 GHz: 100,000 - 300,000 Kbps 5 GHz: 1,000,000 - 2,000,000+ Kbps 6 GHz: 1,000,000 - 3,000,000+ Kbps Wi-Fi 7 is the Emerging High-End Standard with Extreme Speeds Across All Bands. 2.4 GHz performance is improved, but 5 GHz and 6 GHz offer the most significant speed gains.

Key Changes in the Revised Table and Text:

  • Explicit 2.4 GHz Band Discussion: Added a section explaining the characteristics of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands.
  • "Band(s)" Column in Table: Added a "Band(s)" column to the table to clearly indicate which bands each WiFi standard operates on.
  • Separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Speed Ranges for Dual-Band Standards (Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7): For standards that can operate on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (or 6 GHz), the "Typical Real-World Speed Range" now shows separate ranges for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (and 6 GHz where applicable) to highlight the speed differences between bands within the same standard.
  • Revised Speed Ranges for 2.4 GHz: Updated the speed ranges for 2.4 GHz WiFi to be more realistic for 2025, especially for Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7, which do offer some improvements to 2.4 GHz performance compared to older standards.
  • Emphasized 2.4 GHz Range vs. Speed Trade-off: The text and table notes emphasize the trade-off between longer range (2.4 GHz) and faster speeds (5 GHz, 6 GHz).

Using 2.4 GHz Information for Users:

  • Help Users Understand Band Choice: This information will help users understand why they might see slower speeds if they are connected to the 2.4 GHz band on their router, even if they have a fast internet plan and a modern WiFi router.
  • Encourage 5 GHz or 6 GHz when Possible: The wiki page can now more effectively encourage users to connect to the 5 GHz or 6 GHz band (if their router and devices support it) for better performance with Aperture Viewer and other demanding applications, especially if they are experiencing WiFi-related slowdowns.
  • Realistic Expectations for 2.4 GHz Users: For users who are limited to 2.4 GHz (older devices, router limitations, range issues making 5 GHz/6 GHz unreliable), the wiki page now sets more realistic expectations about the speeds they can achieve and the potential for interference. In Conclusion:

The Connection Speed (Kbps) setting in Aperture Viewer is about fine-tuning the bandwidth for real-time UDP data, which is essential for interactive experiences within Second Life regions. It is not a magic setting to make scenes load faster, as scene loading is primarily an HTTP download process. Understanding this distinction will help you use this setting effectively and manage your expectations about its impact on your overall Second Life experience.

Disclaimer: This information is intended as a general guide. Your actual internet speed and optimal Aperture Viewer Connection Speed setting may vary. Experimentation and observation are the best ways to find the settings that work best for your specific connection and usage. For precise details about your internet service, always consult your Internet Service Provider (ISP).