User manual POLYCOM NETTACH HELP

[. . . ] The data packets are sized and transmitted with a frequency similar to the traffic generated by videoconferencing endpoints such as PictureTel LiveLAN, Microsoft NetMeeting, and PictureTel Venue/VIU. NetTach is designed to be used by anyone, no matter what their level of network experience. To use the advanced features as effectively as possible, though, it's helpful to understand basic network terms and concepts. How Does NetTach Work? NetTach runs simultaneously on two computers. One computer runs NetTach in sender mode, transmitting packets of data to the second computer. [. . . ] Using QuickStart!: Once you've selected and saved your testing options, you can select QuickStart!Using Advanced NetTach Options: This section describes more advanced ways you can test with NetTach. Note that you must start NetTach on the receiving computer first! 4 Preliminary and Confidential - Beta-2 Draft - 10/30/97 To Run a Test Using the NetTach Configuration Wizard The NetTach Configuration Wizard helps you configure NetTach to run a simple test quickly and easily. First-time NetTach users should use the Configuration Wizard to become familiar with NetTach. The Wizard screens provide information to help you make the choices appropriate for your environment. Answer the questions on each Wizard screen or accept the defaults by clicking Next. Watch the status bar, on the bottom of the main NetTach window, for real-time information about the test. When the test is complete, the Summary screen appears. To Run a Test Using the Network Options Dialog Box 1. On the General tab, click the application or data rate you wish to simulate. If you selected Sender, enter either the remote host name or the IP address under Remote Host. Change or accept the defaults for the Jitter Limits, Packet Loss, and Iterations. Check AutoScan only if you want to determine a connection's bandwidth threshold. The Advanced tab options must match on the sending and the receiving computers. To Run a Test Using QuickStart! 1. If you selected Sender, type the name or the IP address of the receiver in the Remote Host field. runs a NetTach test using the default settings for PictureTel LiveLAN. Using Advanced NetTach Options You can perform the following advanced options using NetTach: Testing a Connection Over Time Creating Log Files Importing Log Files into Excel Determining a Connection's Bandwidth Threshold To Test a Connection Over Time You can evaluate how a network connection behaves over time by running NetTach continuously for a day or longer. You can import the log file data into Microsoft Excel, or another spreadsheet application. This information illustrates the bigger picture of overall network performance. To test a connection over a 24-hour period, change the number of test iterations from 1 to 1040. Log files for tests run over a 24-hour (or longer) period contain the same information that is displayed after a short test. Each entry on the log file includes the following information: n time stamp from the receiving computer sending computer's IP address jitter transfer rate packets lost packets out of order clock delta [the difference between the clocks on the sender and the receiver] n n n n n n To Create a Log File 1. On the sending computer, click the Network Options icon . 6 Preliminary and Confidential - Beta-2 Draft - 10/30/97 2. [. . . ] Limits specified here are reflected on the Jitter and Statistics Views. Starts running the NetTach test. Preliminary and Confidential - Beta-2 Draft - 10/30/97 11 The Network Options Dialog Box (Advanced Tab) Brings you to the General or Admin tab. Accepts 1024 through 4096. Define the number of packets and their size in bytes. Tests for maximum bandwidth allowed for this connection. How long the receiver waits for a response before stopping the test. Specify the transfer rate of the packets for this test. Starts running the NetTach test. The type of TCP/IP network connection. The Summary Screen Green light indicates a good (acceptable) quality connection. [. . . ]