Network Performance Measurement

Using the standard distribution of the ftp command, network performance can be measured. Although its measurement only considers one configuration. To obtain a rough estimate of the network data speed using ftp review the results line when after a file has been copied.

ftp>  get genunix /dev/null
200 PORT command successful.
150 Binary data connection for genunix (129.78.78.132,57159) (876724 bytes).
226 Binary Transfer complete.
local: /dev/null remote: genunix
876724 bytes received in 0.96 seconds (8.9e+02 Kbytes/s)

In this instance, the Ethernet interface was able to transfer the remote file /genunix to the local file /dev/null at a rate of 6.9 Megabits/second. The file /genunix was chosen because of it's large size. Coping files to /dev/null essentially throws the file away.

Recommended for more complete network testing is the netperf command. A complete guide is available from the Public Netperf Home Page.

Terms used: Ethernet, ftp, network.