User manual

Stress Test
Understanding RFC2544
This chapter describes how to test the network with the RFC2544 Stress
Test.
The LANEXPERT Network Analyzer uses Throughput, Latency, Frame
Loss and Back-to-Back tests to measure the performance of a network
consisting of one or more active devices.
5-1
Throughput - defines the maximum number of frames per
second that can be transmitted without any errors. The test
starts at a mid-range frame rate and then compares the number
of transmitted and received frames. If no frames are lost, the
rate is increased until frame loss occurs. If frames are lost, the
rate is decreased until no frames are lost.
Latency - measures the time required for a frame to travel from
the originating device through the network to the destination
device and then back to the source. The frames are tagged with
a time-stamp during transmission. When the tagged frame is
received back, the latency is measured.
Frame Loss - measures the networks response to overload
conditions. Traffic is sent at the maximum line rate and then the
number of dropped frames is counted. When dropped frames
are detected, the test restarts at a slower rate. This test is
repeated until there is no frame loss for two consecutive
iterations.
Back-to-Back Frames - measures the maximum number of
frames received at full line rate before a frame is lost.