System Test

A network test is like a health check for your internet connection, ensuring it's reliable and strong enough for seamless communication when using Dialpad. This article goes over the details of the Dialpad System Test and how to understand your results.

Let’s dive into the details. 

How to use the System Test

To launch the System Test, head to your Dialpad app: 

1. Select your avatar  
2. Navigate to Issues during a call
3. Select System Test
   
4. Select Start
   • Grant audio permissions if prompted
     

That’s it! The system test will take just a few minutes, and then you’ll be able to dive into the details of your results. 

Test components 

The System Test is an easy yet powerful way to test your connection anytime such as when you encounter poor audio quality. 

Specifically, it checks the following call components: 

• Throughput 
• Call Quality 
• Location 
• Bandwidth Speed 
• DNS Look Up
• Device State

Let’s go over what each of these mean. 

Throughput 

Throughput is the number of packets sent successfully from one place to another. The Throughput Test checks the amount of data that your network can send and receive at the same time. This test sends 1 KB of data every second over your network and measures the rate they are received. 

This component of the System Test collects the following information: 

1. Maximum: The highest throughput measured throughout the test. 
2. Average: The average throughput achieved during the test. 
3. Minimum: The lowest throughput recorded throughout the test.

Call Quality

The Call Quality section verifies the quality of your video and audio calls. 

This component of the System Test collects the following information:

1. Mean Opinion Score (MOS): An industry-wide standard measure of call quality
   • Learn more about the MOS scale in this Help Center article
   • A higher score indicates a higher-quality call
2. Round Trip: The time it takes for a packet to be sent and a reply to be received back 
   • A smaller number means better call quality
3. Packet Loss: The number of packets lost during the test
   • A lower number means you have higher call quality
   • A higher number may result in choppy audio
4. Jitter: The inconsistent delivery of data packets over your internet connection
   • A lower number means better call quality 
   • A higher number may result in voice or video distortion 

You'll also see call quality details listed in the Ai Call Summary. The Quality section provides insight on bitrate, packet loss, jitter, and latency. 

If you see high numbers or experience varied call quality, we recommend running the System Test to troubleshoot.

Location

The Location Test checks your location based on your public IP address and browser. Location is important because the farther you are from a server, the higher the chance of an issue. 

This component of the System Test collects the following information:

1. IP Address: A unique ID that identifies a specific device connected to a network. 
   • This is where the network test sees where the request is coming from.
2. City: Using an external identification service, we estimate your city based on your IP address
   • Accuracy ranges from 50-70%.
3. Country: Using an external identification service, we identify your country. 
   • Accuracy ranges from 95-99%. 
4. Organization: The provider who owns the IP address. 

Signaling and media location

Your location results may show two different IP addresses: one for HTTPS and the other for real-time media. This usually happens when:

1. A VPN is active and splits your signaling and media location into two. 
   • Note that Dialpad does not support VPNs.
2. An IPv6 is used for signaling, but the media server only supports IPv4.

Having two different IP addresses doesn't always mean there's a problem. However, if there are problems, having two separate IP addresses could help us figure out why they're happening.

Bandwidth Speed

The Bandwidth Speed section of the System Test checks how quickly data can be transmitted over a network connection. 

This component of the System Test collects the following information:

1. Best Region: The most optimal data center for your test (identified through your IP address and latency, and the available servers) 
2. Uplink: The speed at which your connection can send information to the server. 
3. Downlink: The speed your connection can receive information from the server. 
4. Jitter: The amount of data that is stuck on the way to the server,  usually because of congestion.
   • The lower the Jitter, the better.

DNS Lookup 

The DNS Lookup portion of the System Test checks your connection to HTTPS and WSS addresses. If DNS servers are inaccessible, parts of your service may be unavailable. 

This component of the System Test collects the following information: 

1. Connected: The number of successfully connected addresses out of the total number attempted. 
2. Average Connection Time: The average time it took to connect to the servers.
3. Highest Connection Time: The maximum time it took to connect with one of the servers.
4. Shortest Connection Time: The fastest time it took to connect with one of the servers.

Device State

The Device State portion of the system test collects valuable information about your device. This is helpful when troubleshooting another person’s connection. 

This component of the System Test collects the following information: 

1. Audio: Shows device mic and speaker detected during the test
2. Device: Displays the name of the connected audio device
3. Network: Shows what network your browser thinks it is connected to

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I send a copy of the report to another person?

Yes! Easily download your results. Select the Download button to get a PDF file on your computer. 

Why don't I see this option on my mobile?

The System Test is only available on the Dialpad desktop app and browser app.