Load testing a Link to rule out firewall problems

[robk]

As the title, I need to be test upload and download file transfer on our 100Mb Leased line, ISP says that as I can upload one file to dropbox from a laptop then our issues must be our filtering. Filtering provider say problems look like the ISPs link.

 

I suspect packet loss under load, but difficult to simulate with just a browser!

 

Any suggestions on appropriate tools?

[plexer]

I'd guess something like iperf would do the job but don't ask me how to set it up

 

These kind of issues really wind me up when that's the response from the ISP we used to get disconnect everyone and hook a laptop up directly, how does that help all that proves is the connection can cope with 1 user not 100's simultaneously which is what they are saying to you basically.

 

Ben

[robk]

Iperf needs a server or two connections. Isp tech support not being too helpful at the moment!

[m25man]

You must completely bypass the filter to test correctly.

I've seen this all to often when a firewall can't keep up due to the insane levels of filtering applied to the bridge.

 

I've tested on Sonicwalls by backing up the config resetting to factory and testing with everything off and throughput doubled!

When the firewall is under normal working loads and you hit it with big file transfer there are so many variables involved, Deep packet inspection, Header re-writes, Source/Destination matching and Port redirections and Keyword matching all takes its toll on the data stream.

So bypass the Firewall and filter completely to establish a baseline and work back from there.

A laptop with a spare public IP on your range does the trick.

[robk]

I don't have a spare public ip that's the issue. So I can plug a laptop in on the external ip. If I do that uploads work etc, but not via our filter box. Uploads do work via our filter box and a different outgoing link.. I suspect some form of packet loss that occurs when under load.