Testing the Speed of Small Two Computer LAN

[BlueWeasel]

I have a small 2 computer LAN connected by a crossover cable (Category 5, no hub). Both my NICs are set for 100mpbs operation.

I would like to know of a program or procedure that will allow me to test the actual networking speed I am getting between the 2 computers?

File transers seem to go very fast and the gaming between the computers is smooth - I just want to see a number in mbps that I am getting.

???

 

[Sir Fredrick]

Find a large file to copy over.
Use netscape to connect to the other computer (I think you can do this by typing //computer-name/share-name in the address bar, but it may be more complicated than that, I haven't done it in a while), browse to the large file and right click on it, choose save as. Netscape will give you download statistics as the file is downloading. If your network is really speedy, you may need a super huge file, because a smaller file may transfer too quickly for you to see any of the numbers.

Hope that helps


P.S. Technically, it's only considered a LAN if it has 3 or more computers.

 

[TheLizardMan]

Try using DU meter. It shows the up/download rate and the total amount transferred in a specified time.


DU Meter website

 

[ktwebb]

I wouldnt use your browser if you want accurate readings. I use FTP to get an idea of my LAN or WAN speed. Cute FTP as the client (almost any client will do, even DOS ftp gives you data transfer speed when the transfer is done), and one of the free FTP servers software sets. I use War.

 

[CBuxton]

I would recommend the NetCPS test. Haven't seen the file around for a while, but JGAA wrote the program. I've used it many times on my LAN to find bottlenecks.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Thanks CBuxton! Thats just what I needed.

For those of you who don't know, NetCPS is a small (23K) program that checks the transfer speed between 2 computers on a LAN by transfering 100mb of data. You simply load the program as a server at one computer and then run it with the IP address of the server at the second computer.

I got about 10 mbps when I tested on my 100mbps 2 computer LAN (connected by a crossover cable). This seems about right as I have always heard actual speeds are only 10 mbps on a 100mbps network and 1mbps on a 10mbps network (Actual is 10% of maximum speed).

 

[ktwebb]

"I have always heard actual speeds are only 10 mbps on a 100mbps network"

You heard wrong then. Perhaps you mean you got 10MBps. (Bytes not bits) That would be extremely good. Too good really. You wont get the full advertised bandwidth but if you are only getting 10% of available bandwidth there are issues on your LAN.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Here is the output from NetCPS:
(it is the same on both computers)

NetCPS 1.0 - Entering server mode. Press ^C to quit
Waiting for new connection...

Client connected from 125.125.125.2
---> CPS 9964544.00 KPS: 9731.00 MPS: 9.50
Avrg CPS 9640305.00 KPS: 9414.36 MPS: 9.19
Peek CPS 9986048.00 KPS: 9752.00 MPS: 9.52

Client disconnected. 104857600 Kb transferred in 10.88 seconds.

So how does this translate?

 

[CBuxton]

Last line says it all: 104857600 Kb transferred in 10.88 seconds, that is 9.19 MBps, that's MegaBYTES per second.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Is the 9.19 megabytes per second good? bad? average?

 

[Sir Fredrick]

that translates into about 73.52mbps, mega bits per second. (9.19 * 8)

 

[ktwebb]

You theoretical bandwidth limit would be 12.5 Megabytes a second on a 100 Megabit LAN. Over 9MB is excellent.

 

[IsOs]

Where can I find NetCPS?

 

[BlueWeasel]

Here is a direct download link for NetCPS

Download NetCPS

Here are the basics of NetCPS:

1) Unzip and install the NetCPS files on both machines to test.
2) From a DOS Prompt, run the following:
- Server (main) computer => netcps.exe -s (puts into server mode and waits for a connection)
- Secondary (other) computer => netcps xxx.xxx.xxx.x (where xxx is the IP address for the server computer, e.g., 125.125.125.1)

The programs will send 100MB of data across the network and give you the megabytes per second when finished.

Enjoy!