verify wan bandwidth

[volleyman]

All,

probably an easy question, but here it goes:

we recently upgraded a MetroEthernet connection from 5Mbps to 10Mbps. how do I go about verifying that we are getting the bandwidth we are paying for or at least close to it? basically I want to make sure we are getting more than 5 Mbps.

any ideas? I would prefer a free way to do this without purchasing some expensive software.

Zane D.
Systems Admin

 

[starbrad]

Most ISP's have a speed test that you can run on the line (from a website that tests the upload/download speeds).

But you can also you a website:

http://www.speedtest.net

This should give a ballpark area of what your line speeds are.

Brad

 

[volleyman]

nice try, but its not internet, its a wan connection...I basically need a 2-sided solution. one side sends and one recieves...I think...but beyond buying an expensive fluke device I'm having trouble finding a solution.




Zane D.
Systems Admin

 

[starbrad]

What you could do is setup and FTP site on one end of the tunnel, and download it from the other end of the tunnel internally and see what sort of download speeds you get. It won't be 100% accurate, but it should give you an idea of where your sitting at.

Aside from trying that, if you really need to test it, I think you would have to have someone in with a hardware device that can test the throughput of the line.

Brad

 

[brianinms]

I use this and it works quite well and as an added bonus its free.

http://www.ixchariot.com/products/datasheets/qcheck.html

 

[lerdalt]

Look up ipperf. It's a client/server type application that can tell you throughput on a connection. Will need a device on each end of the connection to run the software though. I know there is a linux version, but think there is a windows revision as well.

Only used it a couple times, but seems pretty good.

 

[burtsbees]

You can dl anything from one end to the other and either time it or watch it download.

Burt

 

[dgrizzard]

There is a program called ttcp, it is also a peer/server program so you need a windows PC at each location. It will test the network throughput without regard to the limitations of the PCs/hard drives. Here is the link.. TTCP