How do you know that a newly network device or a LAN or WAN link is really delivering the performance you expect? Is the performance sufficient for successful data transfers, email, web-based seminars, VoIP and other applications? Are user complaints of a slow network true? How will adding additional users to a segment of your network impact network performance? The RFC 2544/ITO Option helps answer these questions.

This option includes RFC 2544 and advanced tests for assessing Ethernet performance.  It also includes a traffic generator. Use the RFC 2544 tests to characterize the performance of a network link in accordance with the well-accepted IETF recommendation. Use the advanced tests for a deeper understanding of network performance by measuring frame loss, jitter and bit error rate. Use EtherScope to measure performance or generate traffic at rates up to 1 Gbps, over twisted pair or optical fiber (SX, LX, ZX) cabling.

RFC 2544 tests

Advantages of EtherScope’s implementation of RFC 2544 include control over test configurations and automation for testing efficiency.

Select between four RFC 2544 and three advanced tests: throughput, latency, frame loss and back-to-back frames, loss rate, jitter and bit errors. Run only the test(s) of interest to you. For each test, use the default configuration or customize the test parameters to observe how traffic differences affect link performance. By adjusting these parameters, you can also control the time required for a test to complete.

Construct a test suite consisting of one or more RFC 2544 or advanced tests. For each of these end-to-end performance tests, specify the LAN or WAN link(s) to test by defining the target  device(s). Test the same link multiple times with varying configurations to observe performance differences. Test multiple links from a single destination using multiple remotes. Add pass/fail limits to each test, making it easy for everyone to interpret the results. Click the Start button once to run all the tests in the suite in a single, automated operation. View and save tabular and graphical results to document link performance.

Traffic generator
Use the traffic generator to create different loads to test network performance. The protocol used, traffic type and frame size, rate and utilization are configurable. Generate traffic to devices on the local network or to specified devices outside the local network.

Source and destination test instruments
With exception of the traffic generator, the other end-to-end performance tests require two test instruments – a source instrument and a destination instrument. The RFC 2544 and advanced tests require an EtherScope as a source and either another EtherScope or a LinkRunner Pro packet reflector as the destination.  Use two EtherScope analyzers for upstream and downstream testing, or team an EtherScope analyzer with a lower-cost LinkRunner Pro Reflector for loopback testing. The Fluke Networks throughput test can use as the destination instrument another EtherScope, an OptiView v4 Integrated Network Analyzer and a OneTouch Series II. The slower of the two instruments determines the throughput rate.