keylabs_ttcp_test.txt file for KeyLabs Test Packages
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About the test
--------------

The ttcp test shoots a file across a network connection while providing
some feedback in the form of statistics.  This information can be used
to compare with performance statistics provided by manufacturers of
network components to ensure the numbers are in the same ballpark.

The test uses the ttcp program and two script files which operate the
ttcp program. The scripts require ttcp to be installed and in the path and
assume you are running the same version of ttcp on both ends -- some 
versions might use different ports.

This test must be conducted between two different machines.

Steps:

1. Copy the ttcp program into the path.
2. Put the ttcp script files into the same directory structure on each machine.
3. Set the LABMACHINE environmental variable. (see below)
4. Make the testfile on the transmitting machine.
5. Run ttcp-receiver on the receiving machine.
6. Run the ttcp-transmit script on the transmitting machine.

Steps Explained
---------------

1. Put a copy of the ttcp program into the path on each machine being used in
the test.  The ttcp program must be the same version on both machines.

2. Put the script files ttcp-receive and ttcp-transmit into the same directory
on each machine.  Check them for executability.

3. You must set up the LABMACHINE environment variable. To do so, execute the
following command, substituting the address of the system running the reciever
for the 10.10.10.1 address:

export LABMACHINE=10.10.10.1

4. Create a file "testfile" to be sent during the test.  The easiest way to do
this is with dd and /dev/zero where "count" is however many megabytes you wish
to use. This shouldn't be too large since it's better if it can fit in the cache. 

dd if=/dev/zero of=testfile bs=1048576 count=10

5. On the machine receiving the file, run the ttcp-receive program.  It will wait
a bit for a connection.

6. On the machine transmitting the file, run the ttcp-transmit program and the
testfile will be sent.
        

Monitoring the Test
-------------------

Each time the file is transmitted, the ttcp program will return a set of statistics
on each machine.