RFC 1030 (rfc1030) - Page 1 of 16

On testing the NETBLT Protocol over divers networks

Alternative Format: Original Text Document
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Network Working Group                                       M. Lambert
Request for Comments: 1030      M.I.T. Laboratory for Computer Science
                                                         November 1987


          On Testing the NETBLT Protocol over Divers Networks


STATUS OF THIS MEMO

   This RFC describes the results gathered from testing NETBLT over
   three networks of differing bandwidths and round-trip delays.  While
   the results are not complete, the information gathered so far has
   been very promising and supports RFC-998's assertion that that NETBLT
   can provide very high throughput over networks with very different
   characteristics.  Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

1. Introduction

   NETBLT (NETwork BLock Transfer) is a transport level protocol
   intended for the rapid transfer of a large quantity of data between
   computers.  It provides a transfer that is reliable and flow
   controlled, and is designed to provide maximum throughput over a wide
   variety of networks.  The NETBLT protocol is specified in RFC-998;
   this document assumes an understanding of the specification as
   described in RFC-998.

   Tests over three different networks are described in this document.
   The first network, a 10 megabit-per-second Proteon Token Ring, served
   as a "reference environment" to determine NETBLT's best possible
   performance.  The second network, a 10 megabit-per-second Ethernet,
   served as an access path to the third network, the 3 megabit-per-
   second Wideband satellite network.  Determining NETBLT's performance
   over the Ethernet allowed us to account for Ethernet-caused behaviour
   in NETBLT transfers that used the Wideband network.  Test results for
   each network are described in separate sections.  The final section
   presents some conclusions and further directions of research.  The
   document's appendices list test results in detail.

2. Acknowledgements

   Many thanks are due Bob Braden, Stephen Casner, and Annette DeSchon
   of ISI for the time they spent analyzing and commenting on test
   results gathered at the ISI end of the NETBLT Wideband network tests.
   Bob Braden was also responsible for porting the IBM PC/AT NETBLT
   implementation to a SUN-3 workstation running UNIX.  Thanks are also
   due Mike Brescia, Steven Storch, Claudio Topolcic and others at BBN
   who provided much useful information about the Wideband network, and



M. Lambert
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