Computer Networks/Ping/Performance test

The ping command has an option to configure the length or size of the buffer to be transmitted. These activities will show you how to use the ping command with a custom packet length to test network performance.

Preparation

To prepare for this activity:

Start Windows.
Log in if necessary.

Activity 1 - Ping the Default Gateway with a Custom Packet Length

To ping the default gateway with a custom packet length:

Open a command prompt.
Use ipconfig to display the default gateway address. Note the Default Gateway displayed.
Type ping -l 64000 <default gateway address> where <default gateway address> is the default gateway address displayed above. For example, if the default gateway address was 192.168.1.1, you would type ping -l 64000 192.168.1.1. Then press Enter.
Observe the results.

Activity 2 - Ping the Default Gateway with a Custom Packet Length Until Terminated

To ping the default gateway with a custom packet length until terminated:

Type ping -t -l 64000 <default gateway address> and press Enter. Note the addition of the -t option to continue until terminated.
Observe the results.
Press Ctrl + C to terminate the command.

Activity 3 - Test Network Performance

Note: The following activity may adversely impact network performance for all users on the network. Only perform this activity on a personal or test/lab network.

To test network performance:

Repeat Activity 2 in multiple command prompts at the same time. Sixteen concurrent command prompts would generate approximately one megabyte of data sent and received per second.
Observe the results. On slow hosts or slow networks you will start to see the response time increase and network performance degree as you open and run more ping commands. When you start to see "Request timed out." or similar response, you have reached capacity for the given hosts and network.
Close each command prompt to terminate the commands and complete this activity.

Readings

References

Microsoft TechNet: Ping