SpeedBurst: Faster browsing for guest networks

Published June 23, 2010 10 responses

Meraki administrators utilizing per-user bandwidth limitations now have a new tool at their disposal to ensure that their wireless users have the best possible experience while preventing any one user from hogging bandwidth.  Introducing SpeedBurst, a new feature that allows users to temporarily exceed their bandwidth limit at the beginning of a download while staying within assigned limits over time.  This makes downloads feel speedier and network performance snappier.

You can enable SpeedBurst by using the checkbox that can be found under Configure -> Access Control in the Bandwidth Limit section (see screenshot below).  The checkbox will be grayed out if bandwidth limits are not in use.

SpeedBurst is a great for guest access or event networks where end user experience is critical while at the same time equal network performance for all users is required.  We’ll be rolling out SpeedBurst to Enterprise and Pro Meraki networks starting today.

  • dfwfreenet

    Wow, a new feature that both Enterprise *and* Pro networks will receive!

  • Richard Dwn

    Wow, great job. Perfect for our students who need that extra download capabilities.

  • http://twitter.com/drvcrash drvcrash

    nice was starting to think you had given up on the pro cloud

  • Ryanc

    I wouldn't mind having this feature for paid access

  • meraki

    Interesting idea! Would you mind emailing us with a more information on what you're looking for? blog@meraki.com

  • http://gonzague.me Gonzague Dambricourt

    hey Greg this feature is very cool but how comes its not usable with the splash-pages? I mean you designed this for guest networks and most of my guest networks have splashpages :-/

  • meraki

    We hear your suggestion loud and clear – we will see what we can do!

  • Activitie

    Can you explain the details of SpeedBurst? How long does it allow them to exceed their bandwidth limit?

  • Anonymous

    Currently, clients are given a boost allotment of 20 seconds worth of data at their normal download rate. They can download at 4x their normal rate if this allotment has not run out. The allotment only refills when the client is idle. So, for example, if a client was limited to 250Kbps and had speed bursting enabled, the client would be able to download at 250Kbps * 4 = 1000Kbps for a total of about 5 seconds, and then they would be limited to their normal 250Kbps download rate. If the client was then idle for a total of 20 seconds, their allotment would be full once again. These specific parameters (20 seconds of allotment and a peak speed of 4x the normal rate) may change in the future, if other values improve network performance.

  • Activitie

    Thank you for the detailed explanation and example. I now understand what checking the SpeedBurst option will do. Thanks!