Benchmarking Methodology for Network Interconnect Devices

This document discusses and defines a number of tests that may be used to describe the performance characteristics of a network interconnecting device. In addition to defining the tests this document also describes specific formats for reporting the results of the tests. Appendix A lists the tests and conditions that we believe should be included for specific cases and gives additional information about testing practices. Appendix B is a reference listing of maximum frame rates to be used with specific frame sizes on various media and Appendix C gives some examples of frame formats to be used in testing. TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1.0 Introduction 02 2.0 Real World 02 3.0 Tests to be Run 02 4.0 Evaluating the Results 02 5.0 Requirements 02 6.0 Test Set Up 03 7.0 DUT Set Up 04 8.0 Frame Formats 04 9.0 Frame Sizes 04 10. Verifying Recieved Frames 05 11. Modifiers 05 12. Protocol Addresses 07 13. Route Set Up 08 14. Bidirectional Traffic 08 15. Single Stream Path 08 16. Multi-Port 08 17. Multiple Protocols 09 18. Multiple Frame Sizes 09 19. Testing Performance Beyond a Single DUT 09 20. Maximum Frame Rate 09 21. Bursty Traffic 10 22. Frames Per Token 10 23. Trial Description 10 24. Trial Duration 10 25. Address Resolution 10 26. Benchmark Tests 11 27. Security Considerations 13 28. Editors’ Addresses 14