Network Tests

[Bob S.]

Having a bit of an kicking contest with a software vendor that is insisting
that the database file is being corrupted due to an "unstable network". The
corruption has occurred prior to us rebuilding this small, 8 station network
and occurs after a totally new network has been installed.

New network has all Intel Pro 10/100 NIC's installed, new LinkSys
cable/router and switch, new cables to wallplates and all new wiring to the
workstations. All wiring done by certified installer. No indication
whatsoever of any network wiring problems other than the data being
corrupted when a "verify" is done on the database.

No other application or any other files I transfer across the network are
corrupted. It's a simple peer-to-peer network, Dells with WinXP Home (small
business setup). The system seldom see's any real loading from the business
app's and gets more load on it from the users accessing the internet.

Is there some freeware, shareware or some reasonable cost software I could
run on each station that would do a network stress test that can prove one
way or the other that the network is or is not causing this corruption? I
can't say with absolute certainty that the network is 100% pure but I sure
can't find a problem using the simple NIC diags and file transfers that I've
been using.

Yes - we can recreate the problem at will, they test our database on their
system doing a verify and say it is not corrupted there. We are going thru
the process of elimination along with completely reloading the software
(server and clients) and other tests but I would like to have a piece of
test software other than the application in doubt to test the network with.

I can search the net for potential software to use but I would like to hear
some recommendations from those that use it often enough to have a high
level of confidence in it - and that it doesn't lie to you (to often
anyway).

Been a frustrating week.....

Thanks,

Bob S.

 

[Jack \(MVP\)]

Hi
This Software below is considered the unofficial Standard for evaluating
Network traffic - Qcheck by Ixia.
This Free tool is a subset of Chariot which is considered the Standard in
evaluating Network Bandwidth connectivity.
Link to Product Description:
www.ixiacom.com/products/performance_applications/pa_display.php?skey=pa_q_c
heck
After reading the page, log here: http://www.ixiacom.com/products/qcheck
Scroll down to:
IxChariot
IxChariot Support & Downloads
Qcheck Download.
Click on Qcheck Download.
You have to give some personal info, but this Application really worth it.
Down load the Main program and a copy of the stand alone End Point.
Install the Master program on one computer (Main computer, or serve).
Install the End point Client on all other computers on the Network.
Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[Bob S.]

Jack,

You must have been looking over my shoulder. I was just reading about
Qcheck and the url provided was no longer valid (www.qcheck.net)
and after discovering the article was written in 2001 - no wonder. I did
not pursue it any further but with the link you provided and your comments -
it sounds great. I will do a follow-up post after I try some testing.

Many thanks,

Bob S.

 

[Bob S.]

Jack,

As I said, I would make a follow-up post after performing some tests.

I installed and ran the tests remotely using UltraVNC on 6 of the 8 systems
that I could reach tonight. I have not read all the documentation but
everything is pretty straight forward and installed on all systems without a
problem. Mix of SP-1 and SP-2 all on WinXP Home systems.

After a few minutes of getting to know the program, I ran concurrent tests
and was looking like a one-armed paper hanger trying to keep all the tests
repeating in order to place the maximum load on the system that I could with
this program.

I set up systems to run streaming video while a ran max data rate throughput
tests on the other systems - that will keep you clicking buttons ! Wish
they had a means of setting the length of the test periods so you could
really place a max load on the switch and multiple links. Add - a running
log to that wish list too for recording results....

Although I could not test every system tonight, I will go on-site Monday
morning and load the remaing two systems and include them in the testing.
I'll have some help then - a person at every workstation so we should be
able to place more load on this network than it will ever see in real-world
use.

For those that are interested in the Qcheck program, below is the link Jack
provided in his post.

http://www.ixiacom.com/products/performance_applications/pa_display.php?skey=pa_q_check

Thank you for your assistance and the recommendation,

Bob S.