The easiest approach to measuring the available bandwidth would be to copy a couple of files from the courthouse to the jail, and then vice-versa.

Run both tests originating at both locations. For example, sit at the jail and copy a file from the jail to the courthouse and ANOTHER file from the courthouse to the jail. Now go to the courthouse and run the same test (ideally with other files to discard the possibility of cashing somewhere).

I recommend that you use pkzipped files, this way if something, somewhere compresses data to speed up transfers, it won't be able to compress, so you will get a real picture of your bandwidth.

Also, find out if this is a FULL T1 or a fractional one.

Good luck!

Alex

>Thanks for the input. I failed to mention an important piece of info. The network person is unapproachable (I'm being kind).
>
>Is there anything I can do to get an overall "speed of the network" that would serve as a benchmark without installing any new software (that would not be an option because of the network person)?
>
>I mean would PING tell me anything that I could come back here and say here is the results. What does it mean?
>
>Thanks,
>John