Validator bandwidth test
Test your validator's bandwidth: download/upload speeds, live throughput, and RPC connectivity.
Overview
Download Speed
Measures max download capacity (Mbps)
Upload Speed
Measures max upload capacity (Mbps)
Interface Stats
Shows current throughput on network adapter
RPC Connectivity
Tests latency to rpc.mainnet.x1.xyz
Recommendations
Analyzes if bandwidth meets validator needs
Requirements
Official X1 Specifications
Speed
1 Gbps symmetric
10 Gbps symmetric
Upload must equal download
Type
Committed/sustained
Committed/sustained
NOT burst capacity
Data Cap
Unmetered
Unmetered
No monthly limits
Latency
<20ms
<5ms
To RPC endpoints
Real-World X1 Validator Usage
Based on production validators (Nov 2025):
Average usage: 150-200 Mbps sustained
Peak usage: 300-700 Mbps during high activity
Growth rate: Doubling every 1-2 months
Network trend: Approaching 1 Gbps per validator
Bottom line: 1 Gbps minimum today, plan for 10 Gbps within 6-12 months.
⚠️ CRITICAL: Committed vs Burst Bandwidth
Common ISP Gotcha
Your ISP might advertise "1 Gbps Unmetered" but actually provide:
Port Speed: 1 Gbps (can burst to this temporarily)
Committed Rate: 200-500 Mbps (what you can sustain 24/7)
Billing: 95th percentile on committed rateHow to Check
Run this bandwidth test — Shows maximum capacity
Check your hosting provider's graphs — Shows actual usage vs thresholds
Example: InterServer "1 Gbps Unmetered" was actually 200 Mbps committed with red thresholds at ~180-200 Mbps.
Questions to Ask Your ISP
"What is my committed information rate (CIR)?"
"Is this sustained bandwidth or burst?"
"What happens if my 95th percentile exceeds X Mbps?"
"Can I sustain 500-1000 Mbps continuously?"
Usage
Install dependencies:
sudo apt update sudo apt install -y speedtest-cli bc curl ethtoolCopy the full script below into a file named
x1_bandwidth.sh:nano x1_bandwidth.shMake it executable:
chmod +x x1_bandwidth.shRun:
./x1_bandwidth.sh
Full Script
#!/bin/bash
# === X1 Validator Bandwidth Test ===
# Tests download/upload speed, interface throughput, and RPC connectivity
# Author: X1 Labs / Xen Tzu
set -euo pipefail
echo "=============================================="
echo "🌐 X1 Validator Bandwidth Test"
echo "=============================================="
echo ""
# --- Check for speedtest-cli ---
if ! command -v speedtest-cli &> /dev/null; then
echo "⚠️ speedtest-cli not found. Installing..."
sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y speedtest-cli
echo ""
fi
# --- Detect primary network interface ---
echo "🔹 Network Interface"
IFACE=$(ip route | grep default | awk '{print $5}' | head -1)
if [ -z "$IFACE" ]; then
echo "⚠️ Could not detect network interface"
IFACE="eth0"
fi
echo " Interface: $IFACE"
# Get interface speed capability
LINK_SPEED=$(ethtool "$IFACE" 2>/dev/null | grep "Speed:" | awk '{print $2}' || echo "Unknown")
echo " Link Speed: $LINK_SPEED"
echo ""
# --- Current Interface Throughput (5s sample) ---
echo "🔹 Current Throughput (5-second sample)"
echo " Measuring live traffic on $IFACE..."
# Get initial bytes
RX1=$(cat /sys/class/net/"$IFACE"/statistics/rx_bytes)
TX1=$(cat /sys/class/net/"$IFACE"/statistics/tx_bytes)
sleep 5
# Get final bytes
RX2=$(cat /sys/class/net/"$IFACE"/statistics/rx_bytes)
TX2=$(cat /sys/class/net/"$IFACE"/statistics/tx_bytes)
# Calculate Mbps
RX_MBPS=$(awk "BEGIN {printf \"%.2f\", ($RX2 - $RX1) * 8 / 5 / 1000000}")
TX_MBPS=$(awk "BEGIN {printf \"%.2f\", ($TX2 - $TX1) * 8 / 5 / 1000000}")
echo " Current Download: ${RX_MBPS} Mbps"
echo " Current Upload: ${TX_MBPS} Mbps"
echo ""
# --- Speedtest (Maximum Capacity) ---
echo "🔹 Speedtest (Maximum Capacity)"
echo " Testing connection speed (this takes ~30 seconds)..."
SPEEDTEST_OUTPUT=$(speedtest-cli --simple 2>&1)
PING=$(echo "$SPEEDTEST_OUTPUT" | grep "Ping:" | awk '{print $2}')
DOWNLOAD=$(echo "$SPEEDTEST_OUTPUT" | grep "Download:" | awk '{print $2}')
UPLOAD=$(echo "$SPEEDTEST_OUTPUT" | grep "Upload:" | awk '{print $2}')
echo " Ping: ${PING} ms"
echo " Download: ${DOWNLOAD} Mbps"
echo " Upload: ${UPLOAD} Mbps"
echo ""
# --- RPC Connectivity ---
echo "🔹 RPC Connectivity"
echo " Testing connection to rpc.mainnet.x1.xyz..."
RPC_START=$(date +%s%N)
RPC_STATUS=$(curl -s -o /dev/null -w "%{http_code}" --max-time 5 https://rpc.mainnet.x1.xyz || echo "000")
RPC_END=$(date +%s%N)
RPC_LATENCY=$(awk "BEGIN {printf \"%.3f\", ($RPC_END - $RPC_START) / 1000000}")
if [ "$RPC_STATUS" = "200" ] || [ "$RPC_STATUS" = "405" ]; then
echo " RPC Latency: ${RPC_LATENCY} ms"
echo " RPC Status: ✅ Connected"
RPC_OK=true
else
echo " RPC Status: ❌ Failed (HTTP $RPC_STATUS)"
RPC_OK=false
fi
echo ""
# --- Analysis ---
echo "=============================================="
echo "📊 BANDWIDTH ANALYSIS"
echo "=============================================="
# Convert speeds to numbers for comparison
DL_NUM=$(echo "$DOWNLOAD" | cut -d. -f1)
UP_NUM=$(echo "$UPLOAD" | cut -d. -f1)
RPC_LAT_NUM=$(echo "$RPC_LATENCY" | cut -d. -f1)
# Analyze download
if [ "$DL_NUM" -ge 1000 ]; then
DL_STATUS="✅ Excellent (1Gbps+)"
elif [ "$DL_NUM" -ge 500 ]; then
DL_STATUS="⚠️ Acceptable (500Mbps+)"
else
DL_STATUS="❌ Insufficient (<500Mbps)"
fi
# Analyze upload
if [ "$UP_NUM" -ge 1000 ]; then
UP_STATUS="✅ Excellent (1Gbps+)"
elif [ "$UP_NUM" -ge 500 ]; then
UP_STATUS="⚠️ Acceptable (500Mbps+)"
else
UP_STATUS="❌ Insufficient (<500Mbps)"
fi
# Analyze RPC latency
if [ "$RPC_LAT_NUM" -lt 20 ]; then
LAT_STATUS="✅ Excellent (<20ms)"
elif [ "$RPC_LAT_NUM" -lt 50 ]; then
LAT_STATUS="⚠️ Acceptable (<50ms)"
else
LAT_STATUS="❌ High (>50ms)"
fi
echo "Download Capacity: $DL_STATUS"
echo "Upload Capacity: $UP_STATUS"
echo "RPC Latency: $LAT_STATUS"
if $RPC_OK; then
echo "RPC Connection: ✅ OK"
else
echo "RPC Connection: ❌ Failed"
fi
echo ""
# --- Recommendations ---
echo "=============================================="
echo "📋 RECOMMENDATIONS"
echo "=============================================="
# Check if symmetric
SYMMETRIC=false
DIFF=$((DL_NUM - UP_NUM))
if [ ${DIFF#-} -lt 100 ]; then
SYMMETRIC=true
fi
if [ "$DL_NUM" -ge 1000 ] && [ "$UP_NUM" -ge 1000 ]; then
echo "✅ Your bandwidth meets Solana/X1 minimum requirements."
echo ""
echo " Current capacity: ${DOWNLOAD}/${UPLOAD} Mbps"
echo " Minimum required: 1000/1000 Mbps (symmetric)"
echo ""
if [ "$DL_NUM" -lt 10000 ]; then
echo "💡 Consider upgrading to 10 Gbps for future growth."
echo " X1 network usage is increasing and may approach"
echo " 1 Gbps per validator within 6-12 months."
fi
elif [ "$DL_NUM" -ge 500 ] && [ "$UP_NUM" -ge 500 ]; then
echo "⚠️ Your bandwidth is below recommended levels."
echo ""
echo " Current capacity: ${DOWNLOAD}/${UPLOAD} Mbps"
echo " Minimum required: 1000/1000 Mbps (symmetric)"
echo ""
echo "📌 UPGRADE RECOMMENDED:"
echo " • Contact your ISP for 1 Gbps symmetric upgrade"
echo " • Ask specifically for COMMITTED rate, not burst"
echo " • Verify it's truly symmetric (upload = download)"
else
echo "❌ Your bandwidth is insufficient for validator operations."
echo ""
echo " Current capacity: ${DOWNLOAD}/${UPLOAD} Mbps"
echo " Minimum required: 1000/1000 Mbps (symmetric)"
echo ""
echo "🚨 URGENT UPGRADE NEEDED:"
echo " • Current bandwidth may cause missed votes"
echo " • Upgrade to at least 1 Gbps symmetric immediately"
echo " • Consider 10 Gbps for optimal performance"
fi
# Check symmetry - only warn if upload is below 1 Gbps
if ! $SYMMETRIC && [ "$UP_NUM" -lt 1000 ]; then
echo ""
echo "⚠️ ASYMMETRIC CONNECTION DETECTED"
echo " Download: ${DOWNLOAD} Mbps"
echo " Upload: ${UPLOAD} Mbps"
echo ""
echo " Validators require SYMMETRIC bandwidth (equal up/down)."
echo " Contact your ISP for symmetric fiber connection."
fi
# Current usage vs capacity
echo ""
echo "=============================================="
echo "📈 USAGE vs CAPACITY"
echo "=============================================="
echo "Current Usage: ${RX_MBPS} Mbps down / ${TX_MBPS} Mbps up"
echo "Max Capacity: ${DOWNLOAD} Mbps down / ${UPLOAD} Mbps up"
USAGE_PERCENT=$(awk "BEGIN {printf \"%.1f\", ($RX_MBPS / $DOWNLOAD) * 100}")
echo "Utilization: ${USAGE_PERCENT}%"
echo ""
if (( $(echo "$USAGE_PERCENT > 70" | bc -l) )); then
echo "⚠️ HIGH UTILIZATION (>70%)"
echo " You're using most of your available bandwidth."
echo " Consider upgrading before you hit capacity limits."
elif (( $(echo "$USAGE_PERCENT > 50" | bc -l) )); then
echo "💡 MODERATE UTILIZATION (50-70%)"
echo " Monitor your usage trends. Plan upgrade if growing."
else
echo "✅ GOOD HEADROOM (<50%)"
echo " Plenty of capacity available for growth."
fi
# Final critical check
echo ""
echo "=============================================="
echo "⚠️ CRITICAL: Verify With Your Provider"
echo "=============================================="
echo ""
echo "This test shows your PORT SPEED (burst capacity)."
echo "Your ISP may have a lower COMMITTED RATE."
echo ""
echo "🔍 Next Steps:"
echo " 1. Check your hosting provider's bandwidth graphs"
echo " 2. Look for 'red threshold lines' around 200-500 Mbps"
echo " 3. Ask your ISP: 'What is my committed information rate?'"
echo " 4. Verify sustained usage vs provider thresholds"
echo ""
echo "Example: '1 Gbps Unmetered' might mean:"
echo " • Port: 1000 Mbps (burst)"
echo " • Committed: 200 Mbps (sustained)"
echo " • Billing: 95th percentile"
echo ""
echo "=============================================="
echo "Test Complete"
echo "=============================================="Example Output
==============================================
🌐 X1 Validator Bandwidth Test
==============================================
🔹 Network Interface
Interface: enp4s0
Link Speed: 1000Mb/s
🔹 Current Throughput (5-second sample)
Current Download: 189.45 Mbps
Current Upload: 142.67 Mbps
🔹 Speedtest (Maximum Capacity)
Ping: 2.26 ms
Download: 814.00 Mbps
Upload: 766.28 Mbps
🔹 RPC Connectivity
RPC Latency: 12.345 ms
RPC Status: ✅ Connected
==============================================
📊 BANDWIDTH ANALYSIS
==============================================
Download Capacity: ⚠️ Acceptable (500Mbps+)
Upload Capacity: ⚠️ Acceptable (500Mbps+)
RPC Latency: ✅ Excellent (<20ms)
RPC Connection: ✅ OK
==============================================
📋 RECOMMENDATIONS
==============================================
⚠️ Your bandwidth is below recommended levels.
Current capacity: 814.00/766.28 Mbps
Minimum required: 1000/1000 Mbps (symmetric)
📌 UPGRADE RECOMMENDED:
• Contact your ISP for 1 Gbps symmetric upgrade
• Ask specifically for COMMITTED rate, not burst
• Verify it's truly symmetric (upload = download)
==============================================
📈 USAGE vs CAPACITY
==============================================
Current Usage: 189.45 Mbps down / 142.67 Mbps up
Max Capacity: 814.00 Mbps down / 766.28 Mbps up
Utilization: 23.3%
✅ GOOD HEADROOM (<50%)
Plenty of capacity available for growth.
==============================================
⚠️ CRITICAL: Verify With Your Provider
==============================================
This test shows your PORT SPEED (burst capacity).
Your ISP may have a lower COMMITTED RATE.
🔍 Next Steps:
1. Check your hosting provider's bandwidth graphs
2. Look for 'red threshold lines' around 200-500 Mbps
3. Ask your ISP: 'What is my committed information rate?'
4. Verify sustained usage vs provider thresholds
Example: '1 Gbps Unmetered' might mean:
• Port: 1000 Mbps (burst)
• Committed: 200 Mbps (sustained)
• Billing: 95th percentile
==============================================
Test Complete
==============================================Interpreting Results
✅ Good Result
Download: 1200 Mbps
Upload: 1150 Mbps
Symmetric: Yes
Utilization: 35%Action: You're good. Monitor trends monthly.
⚠️ Warning Result
Download: 850 Mbps
Upload: 780 Mbps
Symmetric: Yes
Utilization: 55%Action: Plan upgrade to 1 Gbps committed soon.
❌ Critical Result
Download: 950 Mbps
Upload: 180 Mbps
Symmetric: No
Utilization: 85%Action: Upgrade immediately. Asymmetric connection will cause issues.
Continuous Monitoring
Run Periodically
Add to cron for weekly reports:
# Run bandwidth test every Sunday at 3 AM
0 3 * * 0 /home/validator/x1_bandwidth.sh >> /var/log/x1_bandwidth.log 2>&1Check Provider Graphs
Don't just rely on speedtest — check your hosting provider's actual usage graphs:
Look for 95th percentile metrics
Check for red warning thresholds
Compare current usage vs thresholds
Monitor growth trends month-over-month
FAQ
Q: I have "1 Gbps" but speedtest shows 800 Mbps. Why?
A: TCP/IP overhead, network congestion, or provider throttling. Also verify if it's committed vs burst.
Q: My upload is lower than download. Is that OK?
A: No. Validators need symmetric bandwidth. Upgrade to fiber with equal upload/download.
Q: I'm at 60% utilization. Should I upgrade?
A: Yes. X1 network usage is growing. Upgrade before you hit 80-90%.
Q: What's the difference between committed and burst?
A: Committed = sustained 24/7. Burst = temporary spikes allowed. Validators need committed.
Q: Can I run a validator on cable internet?
A: No. Cable is asymmetric (low upload). You need symmetric fiber.
Notes
Run during normal validator operation to see real-world throughput alongside capacity tests.
Speedtest results may vary — run multiple times for accurate average.
For continuous monitoring, consider setting up a cron job to log results.
Requires:
speedtest-cli,bc,curl,ethtool. Install with:sudo apt install -y speedtest-cli bc curl ethtool
Last updated