Hardware-based broadband testing installation and FAQ
How to install the network box
Contents of your kit
Your Hardware-based Network Research Kit will include a power cord, an ethernet cord, and the network box. If your kit is missing any of these components, please contact [email protected].
Step 1
Plug in the power cord and connect it to the hardware-based network box.
Step 2
Connect the ethernet cable to the network box and then to your modem.
Step 3
Connection is confirmed if you see the hardware-based network box light up.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Users can receive detailed information about their home performance by visiting their local dashboard at http://netrics.local. Users can only see data about their own home network.
Benefits of this study include:
- Monetary compensation for participation.
- Access to an online dashboard where you can learn about your internet speed and whether it is as fast as what you are paying for, whether your home wifi is slowing down your internet performance, and the times of day you have connection problems.
- Being part of the solution. By contributing data on internet performance you will help ensure we have as much information about network performance for our homes and school districts.
- We collect anonymous data on key measures of internet performance. We store the data on your internet performance separate from identifying information.
- We count the number of devices such as tablets, computer and smartphones. We don’t see what you’re looking at on your devices.
- All of the information we collect about your internet performance will be stored anonymously
- We will never identify you as a study participant
- Any reports we write about the study will only report on internet performance by group, such as by school district or neighborhood
You will receive a $25 gift card via email at the following times:
- When the box is turned on and reasonably collecting data
- At the end of the first full month of participation, under the condition that the box has continued to collect data
- At the end of the 6-month study, under the condition that the box has continued to collect data
- The final incentive payment will be dispersed when the research kit has been returned using the pre-paid mailing label
Our device can see data about network traffic speeds and other measurements. Our measurement device does not look into your home network to see what you view on the internet.
The measurement device will turn itself back on when power is restored. If your device is off for more than 24 hours, you may receive a call from our research team.
Changing internet providers will not interfere with the study as long as you notify [email protected].
Please contact [email protected] for specific instructions.
The research team will contact you at the end of the study. You will be asked to return the device using the pre-paid shipping label enclosed in your kit.
Email [email protected] for instructions. You will still receive a $25 incentive when the box has been returned. You are entitled to end participation in this study at any time.