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