Hey guys! Ever wondered how to check your internet speed directly from your Proxmox server? Well, you're in luck! This guide will walk you through installing and using the Speedtest CLI on your Proxmox environment. It's super handy for diagnosing network issues or just keeping an eye on your connection. Let's dive right in!

Why Use Speedtest CLI on Proxmox?

Before we get our hands dirty, let's talk about why you might want to do this. Proxmox is a powerful virtualization platform, but sometimes you need to troubleshoot network performance directly on the host. Using the Speedtest CLI offers several advantages:

• Direct Speed Testing: You can test the internet speed directly from the Proxmox server, eliminating any potential bottlenecks introduced by virtual machines.
• Command-Line Convenience: It's all done via the command line, which is perfect for scripting and automation.
• Lightweight: The Speedtest CLI is a small, efficient tool that won't hog your system resources.
• No GUI Required: Since Proxmox is often managed remotely, a command-line tool is ideal for testing without needing a graphical interface.
• Troubleshooting: Helps to identify network issues on the host machine itself, ensuring your VMs have the best possible connection.

For example, if you're experiencing slow internet speeds within your VMs, running a Speedtest directly on the Proxmox host can help you determine if the problem lies with the host's connection or with the virtualized network configuration. Furthermore, integrating Speedtest CLI into your monitoring scripts can provide continuous insights into your network performance, allowing you to proactively address any potential issues. Whether you're a seasoned sysadmin or just starting out with Proxmox, having this tool in your arsenal can be incredibly beneficial for maintaining a stable and efficient virtualized environment. So, let's get started and see how easy it is to set up!

Prerequisites

Before we start, make sure you have the following:

• Proxmox Server: A running Proxmox server (obviously!).
• SSH Access: You need to be able to SSH into your Proxmox server.
• Root or Sudo Privileges: You'll need root or sudo privileges to install the software.
• Internet Connection: A working internet connection on your Proxmox server.

These prerequisites are pretty standard, but it's always good to double-check. Ensure your Proxmox server is up and running, and you have a stable SSH connection. Root or sudo privileges are necessary to install the Speedtest CLI, as you'll be modifying system files and installing new packages. And of course, a working internet connection is crucial for downloading the necessary files and running the speed tests. If you're all set with these, then we're ready to move on to the installation process. Let's get started!

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Alright, let's get to the fun part! Follow these steps to install Speedtest CLI on your Proxmox server:

Step 1: Update the Package List

First, update the package list to make sure you have the latest versions of everything. Open your terminal and SSH into your Proxmox server. Then, run the following command:

apt update

This command refreshes the package index files, ensuring that you're installing the most up-to-date software. It's a good practice to run this before any installation to avoid potential compatibility issues. Once the update is complete, you'll be ready to install the necessary dependencies for Speedtest CLI. Now, let's move on to the next step!

Step 2: Install Dependencies

The Speedtest CLI requires a few dependencies to run properly. Install them using the following command:

apt install apt-transport-https curl gnupg2 -y

Here’s a breakdown of what each package does:

• apt-transport-https: Allows apt to access repositories over HTTPS.
• curl: A command-line tool for transferring data with URLs.
• gnupg2: GNU Privacy Guard for secure communication.

The -y flag automatically answers "yes" to any prompts, making the installation process smoother. These dependencies are essential for securely downloading and installing the Speedtest CLI package. Without them, you might encounter errors or be unable to complete the installation. Once these dependencies are installed, you'll be one step closer to running Speedtest CLI on your Proxmox server. So, let's keep going!

Step 3: Add the Ookla GPG Key

To ensure the integrity of the Speedtest CLI package, you need to add the Ookla GPG key to your system. Run the following command:

curl -s https://ookla.bintray.com/ookla_bintray.gpg | apt-key add -

This command downloads the GPG key from Ookla's Bintray repository and adds it to your system's list of trusted keys. This ensures that any packages you install from Ookla are authentic and haven't been tampered with. Adding the GPG key is a crucial step in maintaining the security of your system. Once the key is added, you can proceed with confidence to add the Ookla repository to your system.

Step 4: Add the Ookla Repository

Next, add the Ookla repository to your system's package sources. Create a new file in the /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ directory:

echo "deb https://ookla.bintray.com debian main" | tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/speedtest.list

This command adds the Ookla repository to your system's list of package sources. The tee command ensures that the output is both displayed in the terminal and written to the specified file. By adding the Ookla repository, you're telling your system where to find the Speedtest CLI package. This step is essential for the installation process. Once the repository is added, you'll need to update the package list again to include the new repository.

Step 5: Update the Package List Again

After adding the Ookla repository, update the package list again to include the new package sources:

apt update

This command refreshes the package index files, ensuring that your system is aware of the newly added Ookla repository. It's important to run this command after adding any new repositories to ensure that you can install packages from those sources. Once the update is complete, you'll be able to install the Speedtest CLI package. Now, let's move on to the final installation step!

Step 6: Install Speedtest CLI

Finally, install the Speedtest CLI using the following command:

apt install speedtest -y

This command downloads and installs the Speedtest CLI package from the Ookla repository. The -y flag automatically answers "yes" to any prompts, making the installation process smoother. Once the installation is complete, you'll be able to run Speedtest CLI from your terminal. Congratulations, you've successfully installed Speedtest CLI on your Proxmox server!

How to Use Speedtest CLI

Now that you've installed Speedtest CLI, let's see how to use it. It's pretty straightforward.

Running a Basic Speed Test

To run a basic speed test, simply type the following command in your terminal:

speedtest

This will run a speed test and display the results in your terminal. The output will include your download speed, upload speed, and ping time. It's that easy! You can use this command to quickly check your internet speed at any time. The results are displayed in a clear and concise format, making it easy to understand your network performance.

Specifying a Server

If you want to test your speed against a specific server, you can use the --server option followed by the server ID. To find a list of available servers, run:

speedtest --list

This command will display a list of available servers, along with their IDs and locations. You can then use the server ID to specify a server for your speed test. For example, to test against server ID 1234, you would use the following command:

speedtest --server 1234

This allows you to test your connection to specific locations, which can be useful for troubleshooting network issues or comparing speeds to different servers.

Getting Detailed Results

For more detailed results, you can use the --verbose option:

speedtest --verbose

This command will display more detailed information about the speed test, including packet loss, jitter, and other network statistics. This can be useful for advanced troubleshooting and analysis. The verbose output provides a comprehensive overview of your network performance, allowing you to identify potential issues and optimize your connection.

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've successfully installed and used Speedtest CLI on your Proxmox server. This handy tool can help you monitor your network performance and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. Now you can keep a close eye on your Proxmox server's internet speed directly from the command line. Happy testing!

By following this guide, you've equipped yourself with a valuable tool for maintaining a stable and efficient Proxmox environment. Whether you're troubleshooting slow internet speeds or simply monitoring your network performance, Speedtest CLI is a quick and easy way to get the information you need. So, go ahead and give it a try, and see how fast your Proxmox server is really running! If you guys have questions or need help, feel free to ask. Good luck, and have fun testing your speed!