home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- TESTNET.EXE
- version 1.0
-
- By SCOTT TAYLOR
- 228 Gold Kettle Drive
- Gaithersburg,Md 20878
-
-
-
- TESTNET this utility is intended to test the performance of Local
- Area Networks. It may also be used to test stand alone PC's.
-
- The valuable results of this test will show the total elapsed
- time in seconds and total throughput in KB/sec transferred to
- disk. Using a SEQUENTIAL file access method tests server disk and
- caching performance. Using OVERLAID file access tests reflects
- more of the network interface performance as well as local
- (workstation) cache techniques. Larger record sizes are handled
- more efficiently by most operating systems (especially DOS).
- Using larger record sizes (4K and up) demonstrates overall
- throughput. Smaller record sizes demonstrates the operating
- systems ability to deal with small record blocks. A good example
- would be to run this test from a workstation local C: drive. Then
- run it again from that workstation but to a network drive.
- Usually you will see a significant increase in performance. Also
- try running the test with the VERIFY option on/off.
-
- Here is another good example, especially for comparing different
- server hardware (disk, memory, cpu). This is especially useful on
- Novell networks since the server console displays performance
- characteristics. To compare hard disks generate a file size,
- using Testnet, that is larger than the total memory installed in
- the server. Then you can compare throughput times displaied by
- Testnet. This way the file size is to large to fit in cache
- memory and tests raw disk I/O.
-
- To compare CPU's (as servers) or cache memory generate a file
- size, using Testnet, that is approximately 512K smaller than the
- total memory installed in the server. Then set Testnet to read
- the file, this will test the raw CPU & Cache memory performance.
- Then you can compare the throughput displayed by Testnet. As the
- test is in progress you can monitor the server console for peak
- "I/O PENDING" and peak "% UTILIZATION".
-
- MENU: The menu keys are UP and DOWN arrow keys to highlight a
- menu option. Press RETURN to select a highlighted option, then
- input the desired value for that option. Instructions accompany
- each menu option when the RETURN key is pressed. <ESC> will exit
- TESTNET to DOS.
-
- From the main menu <F1> starts the test. <F2> sets the station
- into the MULTI-STATION test mode. Press <F1> when the last
- station is set into the MULTI-STATION test mode, then all
- stations will begin testing. Each station will then show its
- average throughput to/from the file server. All stations running
- in the MULTI-STATION mode must be able to access the same root
- directory.
-
- Any questions, comments, or suggestions are welcomed !
-