Orb.net (New Way to Visualize Network Performance!)

[GWTechTalk]

Putting this out into the ether for anyone to respond. How hard would it be to replace the current "Speed Test" module in ASUS-merlin with that of this upstart Orb.net? Below is a mock up but we would likely need to disable the additional Orb scanning feature as to me seems un necessary to have multiple devices on an internal network doing this.

Orb.net is an always active performance monitor that sends 24-128 Kbps of data to a cloud server to asses network connectivity health. Content speed checks are run on a 1 hour time table and peak speed test is on demand only. They are still adding more features to control frequency and such but right now they are still a start up. Anyways would love to hear thoughts on the difficulty of taking out the current speed test module and inserting this one with a GUI. I already can install this on the router and run it in the background, so that's not an issue.

 

[Ripshod]

As this is in the Merlin forum I'd like to point out that we already have access to automated Ookla speed tests via the spdMerlin addon. I personally see no reason to change.

 

[Tech9]

Not a new way, this is the type of information Ubiquiti WiFiman App presents plus much more, but... overkill development for something most people will look at once and don't care about after. I have uninstalled WiFiman App long time ago.

WiFiman - Apps on Google Play

WiFi scanner, network device discovery, speedtest ⏱ – free (no ads) by Ubiquiti

play.google.com

Some reviews say "Superb"... probably, but I personally don't need an App to measure my user experience.

 

[GWTechTalk]

As this is in the Merlin forum I'd like to point out that we already have access to automated Ookla speed tests via the spdMerlin addon. I personally see no reason to change.

Speed tests don’t tell the whole story about connection quality. Was just thinking since Merlin is a prosumer type product that having better quality information about your connections would be welcome. Oh well, was just a thought. Could you image if every consumer had this on thier public facing router? ISPs or the consumer would have historical time stamped information about connection issues. I personally think it has value. Just to be clear, I don’t work with this company and just use their product out of curiosity.

Just looking at this from the outside so many non-network types don’t know how to prove their connections are bad to ensure the isp’s give them what they paid for. Peak speed is not really a good gauge at all and it perpetuates ISP’s current direction up selling consumers on the bigger number better mentality.

 

[Tech9]

Could you image if every consumer had this on thier public facing router?

Perhaps over 90% of consumers don't know what GUI is. ISPs have own connection monitoring tools and they are interested in ISP to ISP provided modem/gateway connection only. What's behind it and what it does - doesn't matter. User installed, user managed.

 

[GWTechTalk]

Perhaps over 90% of consumers don't know what GUI is. ISPs have own connection monitoring tools and they are interested in ISP to ISP provided modem/gateway connection only. What's behind it and what it does - doesn't matter. User installed, user managed.

I guess I’m just a dreamer of a world in which the consumer is part of the quality equation. Counting on a for profit business to help ensure customer are getting what they paid for is far to trusting for me.

 

[Tech9]

You made me look at my last 24h period "score":

Honestly, if it was let's say 96% - what difference it makes in my life? Just extra information I don't necessarily need to know.

 

[Tech9]

I’m just a dreamer

No, based on your signature you have professional interest knowing details about networks. It is important for what you do, but users won't care much as long as everything they see on their screens looks and behaves as expected. If it doesn't - they call you.

 

[GWTechTalk]

You made me look at my last 24h period "score":

View attachment 65482

Honestly, if it was let's say 96% - what difference it makes in my life? Just extra information I don't necessarily need to know.

Nothing, but if you were having an issue that was not related to peak speed it would be far easier to see it, find it, triage it. Would empower those who the ISPs give the run around and they have interest in knowing why.

Your other comment is true. I see the value because of my professions. However, since this data is aggregated when a customer calls to complain they could quickly identify what the potential issues could be and waste less time going through the troubleshooting tree. With companies going AI chat for help this would at least allow the AI better information. To be clear though this AI support trend is not something I want to encourage.

 

[Tech9]

Some folks here on SNB Forums look very often at their GUI because of previous bad experience leading to trust issues...

 

[RMerlin]

How hard would it be to replace the current "Speed Test" module in ASUS-merlin with that of this upstart Orb.net?

1) That would require them to develop a client for Asuswrt (highly unlikely)
2) That would take up almost the whole JFFS partition to store its own data

Orb requires approximately 5MB of storage space to install the sensor. In addition, Orb needs about 35MB of additional space to store your data locally.

Ain't happening. That wasn't designed to run on a low powered device such as an Asus router with 500-1000 MB of RAM and ~90 MB of flash space total for the root partition.