Testing network performace
Network testing
What is the best way or tool to test network, to see if it is running at optimal speed etc. Thanks. Question
Network testing
What is the best way or tool to test network, to see if it is running at optimal speed etc. Thanks. 
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In most cases you can use utils like hping/iperf to test just the throughput potential of your network. This can bypass typical tcp/udp restrictions you'd face with real applications.
iperf consists of a "server" daemon and a client. you can use that to see what the potential for transfer is betweeen two hosts.
Network performance testing can get complex. If you mean the application/protocol performance through some network. (eg. windows file copy - cifs/smb over an LAN ethernet), then you';ll need to give us some more info. Like what is the physical/logical layout of your network. (ethernet/infiniband/wan/wireless/etc...)
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Tbitner | Feb 1 2008 6:40PM GMT
qcheck is a free simple client/server program that can measure the speed of your links.
<a href="http://www.ixiacom.com/products/performance_applications/pa_display.php?skey=qcheck" rel="nofollow">http://www.ixiacom.com/products/performance_applications/pa_display.php?skey=qcheck</a>
for internet speed testing you can use Speakeasy’s speedtest
<a href="http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/" rel="nofollow">http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/</a>
Speak Easy is the most accurate for interenet speed testing.
LAN Testing is tricky since the interfaces are getting larger. However PRTG (Traffic Grapher) is a free tool for up to 3 sensors / interfaces. Worth the money for 30 interfaces for $99.00 if network adminstrator, since it will generate reports, and email notifications if interfaces goes down. Will look like a hero with low cost montior solution that runs on any windows machine, as long as devices support SNMP.
