More Generating Test Data.

So Last time I mentioned you can generate traffice between two routers using TCP small Servers. This does work fine but there are some limitations, it can’t genetrate large amounts of traffic, it puts a high load on the CPU and it does not tell you much once it has completed.

A second method I came across is “TTCP” (Test TCP) which is avalible on many of the more recent IOS versions (11.2 upwards). This method not only gives you more control over the data that is sent, but also will provided you with infomation on how the trasfer of data went once it is complete. TTCP is also avalible for Windows and Linux/Unix, which means you can test between various end stations on the network.

It is all very simple to set up, simply at the “>” or “#” prompt type “TTCP”, and then follow the prompts. You will need to set up one router as the sender first, and then the second as the reciver. You can leave all the settings as default (you may want to reduce the “nbuf” setting as the default of 2048 can take some time to complete, espicaly on a slow link).

Once complete you will get an out put of time taken and bandwith achived among other stats. Again this is a very simple tool to give you a indication as to the state of a link, you can find more details in the below link to the CISCO site.

Cisco TTCP Document

Generating traffic from a router

I was looking how to do this to test a monitoring system using GNS 3, and came across this little gem

http://etherealmind.com/the-poor-mans-ios-traffic-generator/

nothing fancy just enabling the small TCP servers (#service tcp-small-servers), but a nice simple way to push some data across a link between two routers. The article also mentions some other methods so will be looking in to them as well.

Always nice to be able to test some things with out having to fire up servers or other hard/soft ware 🙂

New Job,

A few weeks ago I accepted a new job role, and I can’t wait to get started. I think I have mentioned before on this blog that I origianl trained as a scientist and for a time worked in a science lab before moving on to networks.

Well I am now going back in to the lab, but this time to help grow and develop there network through a large restructuring project, that will see the building of several world leading laboratory buildings and a through overhaul of the entire site. And the best part about it is I will have a major role in all of it. 🙂 With lots of hands on across lots of different network technologies, and while some are things I have experience with there are a few new ones as well to get my teeth in to 🙂

So after a fairly mundane year as far as networking has gone, I think getting back in to it will really give me the motivation to get back  studying and learning it all. Last year has not been standing still by any means, but has been a little slow in terms of networking.

To head up the network on one of the world leading laboratories for study of animal diseases is really a dream job for me, combining both of my hobbies in to one. All the hard work of the last 5 or so years really playing off..

Once I have started the role and settled in I will be posting a few more details about the position and where I can what things I am getting up to.