[linux/ubuntu] Speed test via command line?

I'm using a remote dedicated server running ubuntu server edition, and I have no idea what the upload/download speeds are.

Is there a reliable method to test these speeds via the command line? I know you can just download a file and look at the rate, but that depends on the speed of the hosting server and you don't get an upload speed =/

From serverfault

• Check out iperf. Just start up iperf on your server and connect to it with iperf running on your workstation. It'll do bi-directional speed tests. If you want to test connectivity to other well-connected networks, there are some public iperf servers around. Just google and you'll find some.

  : Okay thanks. I think I'd rather test a public server than my workstation, because I'm on a pretty poor connection. I've tried googling for public iperf servers but I can't find one. Could you give me an example if you know where to find one please?

  Zoredache : @user45745, If you where using iperf to test from some public server you will have the same type of problem you have from a http download from some public server. You will have no way to know how much bandwidth is allocated and what else is going on.

  Dennis Williamson : @user45745: Google "iperf server" or "public iperf server". Several options come up among the first few pages of results.
  From ErikA

• I like to wget an Linux ISO from a known fast internet mirror.

  It's a quick sanity check for your internet speed test.

  jrod : +1 for wget; I use `wget -O/dev/null` to eliminate any disk bottlenecks.
  From Joel K