I connected the AppareNet server to the network and booted the machine. Using the 10/100 connection, I configured a test by selecting a Sequencer and a target -- one of the machines on the local segment. Test parameters included the number of iterations, sleep time between bursts and the testing mode. You can choose between testing only the target or testing all hops between the Sequencer and the target.
The system builds a statistical model of the network based on the modification of packets as they traverse the network to and from the Sequencer: statistics on packets sent and lost, bandwidth (two-way in kilobits per second), percent of pipe utilization, propagation delay (one-way in milliseconds) and jitter rates (one-way in milliseconds).
I started the tests and checked out the results and updates displayed on the management console as they were received by the Sequencer.
The 100-Mbps link was achieving only 82-Mbps on the local segment. When the test finished, the condition column of the test results indicated a problem. A quick click on the red "X" displayed a detailed diagnostic indicating a probable duplex mismatch. I was given the choice of making a change or letting ApparaNet autonegotiate the problem. I forced the port that AppareNet was connected to on the Cisco switch to full duplex, 100 Mbps, and reran the test. The results indicated total throughput of 195 Mbps, the maximum achievable rate for a full-duplex 100-Mbps link.
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Vendor Information
AppareNet 1.5, starts at $30,000.
Jaalam Technologies, (800) 664-4401, (604) 433-2333. www.jaalam.com |
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