RFC 1030 (rfc1030) - Page 1 of 16
On testing the NETBLT Protocol over divers networks
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
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