Network Working Group S. Bradner
Request for Comments: 2544 Harvard University
Obsoletes: 1944 J. McQuaid
Category: Informational NetScout Systems
March 1999
Benchmarking Methodology for Network Interconnect Devices
Status of this Memo
This memo provides information for the Internet community. It does
not specify an Internet standard of any kind. Distribution of this
memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (1999). All Rights Reserved.
IESG Note
This document is a republication of RFC 1944 correcting the values
for the IP addresses which were assigned to be used as the default
addresses for networking test equipment. (See section C.2.2 ). This
RFC replaces and obsoletes RFC 1944.
Abstract
This document discusses and defines a number of tests that may be
used to describe the performance characteristics of a network
interconnecting device. In addition to defining the tests this
document also describes specific formats for reporting the results of
the tests. Appendix A lists the tests and conditions that we believe
should be included for specific cases and gives additional
information about testing practices. Appendix B is a reference
listing of maximum frame rates to be used with specific frame sizes
on various media and Appendix C gives some examples of frame formats
to be used in testing.
1. Introduction
Vendors often engage in "specsmanship" in an attempt to give their
products a better position in the marketplace. This often involves
"smoke & mirrors" to confuse the potential users of the products.
Bradner & McQuaid Informational