3. Data Transfer Evaluation of the Network
Overview
Questions
- What are some tools we can use to test network throughput?
Objectives
- Learn about some of the tools used to test network performance.
Network (Only) Evaluation
Throughput testing
Iperf3 (as distinct from “iperf” which is v2 or less)
- https://software.es.net/iperf/
- https://github.com/esnet/iperf
- Pre-compiled binaries for (everything)
nuttcp
- http://nuttcp.org/
- Much overlap with iperf3
- Allows “3rd party” operation where one machine can initiate tests between 2 other machines
perfSONAR test nodes
Provides test endpoints
- iperf3
- owping/ping
- traceroute/tracepath
- Academic and research centric
- Many servers around the world
- Multiple servers within UH Net
- You can install the clients on Linux laptop
- Which allows you to control remote servers
- perfSONAR toolkit is available as a Docker Container, which will work on Linux-based Docker engines. Getting the networking side working on MacOS or Windows (or WSL) is complicated, if at all possible
perfSONAR installation options
https://docs.perfsonar.net/install_options.html
LibreSpeedTest
- https://github.com/librespeed/speedtest
- Take this code and drop it into a directory on any web server
- It will provide a browser-based throughput estimate for a path
- I have one in my house
- UH has one on Manoa Campus
LibreSpeedTest On A Home Network
Ookla Speedtest (speedtest.net)
- Allows you to test to many points around the world from a web browser
- https://www.speedtest.net/
- Allow page to load and choose: “Change Server”
- Also offers a command line version
- https://www.speedtest.net/apps/cli
- Which could be used to test from a remote machine via a terminal interface
- Important to recognize that it focuses on testing your tester’s Internet connectivity, possibly from multiple server locations
- Distinct from testing between your location and a specific location
- There are Ookla Speedtest servers at some universities, and if you test from a U. Hawaii campus to those servers, they should use REN paths
- Typically, an ISP hosted server will use commodity paths
- Which could be used to test from a remote machine via a terminal interface
- https://www.speedtest.net/apps/cli
Key Points
- Many times data transfer is impacted by factors other than the networks, but it helps to know how to test the network.