An Introduction to Performance Analysis
and SmartBits from Netcom Systems
Performance Analysis
Smartbits
Basic Setup Overview
Example #1
Example #2
Example #3


Example #3
       A Complex setup to compare various serial links in parallel

 -  SmartBits cardA generates and transmits multiple IP packets
 of a size X and at rate R designated for the SmartBits cardB
located across several router hops and utilizing one of three WAN  protocols. 

 -  SmartBits uses three VTEs in a rotating fashion to use each of the three WAN links, or enable one at a time and compare the individual performances. 

 -  Using internal counters the SmartBits can compare the
 number of packets received and the number of packets
 transmitted along with rates and error detection.

Hardware Required

2 Router/Gateway with an Ethernet Adapter and multiple WAN adapters
1 Router/Gateway with multiple WAN interface adapters
1 Smartbits unit with 2 interface cards
6 WAN crossover cables
and
2 crossover ethernet cables
or
4 straight ethernet cables and 2 hubs



 
 
 

SB CardA MAC address 00 00 00 00 00 01 MAC src
SB CardA IP address 192.168.1.1 SourceIP
Router A MAC address xx xx xx xx xx xx MAC dest
Router A eth IP address 192.168.1.254
Router A w1 IP address 192.168.100.1
Router A w2 IP address 192.168.101.1
Router A w3 IP address 192.168.102.1
Router B1 w1 IP address 192.168.100.2
Router B1 w2 IP address 192.168.101.2
Router B1 w3 IP address 192.168.102.2
Router B2 w1 IP address 192.168.200.2
Router B2 w2 IP address 192.168.201.2
Router B2 w3 IP address 192.168.202.2
Router C w1 IP address 192.168.200.1
Router C w1 IP address 192.168.201.1
Router C w1 IP address 192.168.202.1
Router C MAC address xx xx xx xx xx xy
Router C IP address 192.168.2.254
SB CardB MAC address 00 00 00 00 00 02
SB CardB IP address 192.168.2.1 DestIP

LAYER 2 SETUP

assign a generic MAC address to SB CardA and place it in the MAC source field
locate the actual MAC address on Routers A net card and place it in the MAC dest field

assign a generic MAC address to SB CardB and place it in the MAC source field
locate the actual MAC address on Routers B net card and place it in the MAC dest field

LAYER 3 SETUP
(this is the tricky part)

We will need 3 Virtual Transmit Engines (VTEs) for this example
they will be the same for the most part, only the IP destinations will vary
It is basically up to the routers to make sure that the data makes its way to its destination.



 
 

SB card A
Destination IP
VTE #1
192.168.8.1
VTE #2
192.168.9.1
VTE #3
192.168.10.1

 
SB card B
Destination IP
VTE #1
192.168.12.1
VTE #2
192.168.13.1
VTE #3
192.168.14.1

Routes on A

192.168.8.0/24
192.168.100.2
ISDN
192.168.9.0/24
192.168.101.2
FFR
192.168.10.0/24
192.168.102.2
X.25
192.168.12.0/22
192.168.1.1
ethernet

Routes on B

192.168.1.0/24
192.168.100.1
ISDN
192.168.8.0/24
192.168.200.1
ISDN
192.168.9.0/24
192.168.201.1
FFR
192.168.10.0/24
192.168.202.1
X.25
192.168.12.0/24
192.168.100.1
ISDN
192.168.13.0/24
192.168.101.1
FFR
192.168.14.0/24
192.168.102.1
X.25
192.168.2.0/24
192.168.200.1
ISDN

Routes on C

192.168.12.0/24
192.168.200.2
ISDN
192.168.13.0/24
192.168.201.2
FFR
192.168.14.0/24
192.168.202.2
X.25
192.168.8.0/22
192.168.2.1
ethernet

OTHER SETUP

Choose the Packet Size you would like to send (Bytes)
Choose the Rate at which you would like to send packets (pps)
do so for both directions

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTs

    We could further dive into this test setup with additional VTEs set to follow hybrid paths.  In our example we are using ISDN-ISDN or FFR-FFR through the middle router B.  We could instead compare ISDN-FFR to FFR-ISDN and see if we notice any performance changes in what seems like a trivial case.  Maybe the transition from one header type to another is much faster in one direction.
 

Performance Analysis
Smartbits
Basic Setup Overview
Example #1
Example #2
Example #3