How we tested WideBand switch

We benchmarked performance of the WideBand switch in four areas: throughput, latency, address learning and link aggregation.

For all tests, we used the Spirent TestCenter traffic-generation and -analysis tool and TestCenter's RFC 2889 software suite for switch testing.

In the throughput and latency tests, we offered traffic to all 28 ports in a bidirectional, fully meshed pattern, meaning we offered test traffic to all ports destined to all other ports. We measured throughput and latency for 60 and 300 seconds using a range of frame lengths from a minimum of 64 bytes to a maximum of 9,216 bytes.

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We benchmarked performance of the WideBand switch in four areas: throughput, latency, address learning and link aggregation.

For all tests, we used the Spirent TestCenter traffic-generation and -analysis tool and TestCenter's RFC 2889 software suite for switch testing.

In the throughput and latency tests, we offered traffic to all 28 ports in a bidirectional, fully meshed pattern, meaning we offered test traffic to all ports destined to all other ports. We measured throughput and latency for 60 and 300 seconds using a range of frame lengths from a minimum of 64 bytes to a maximum of 9,216 bytes.

In the address learning tests, we offered traffic to three pairs of ports at 1,000 frames per second, and used a seventh port to check for flooding.

In the link-aggregation test, we created an eight-port link-aggregation group on each of two switches and attached another 16 ports on each switch to the Spirent TestCenter instrument. Our intent was to offer test traffic in a bidirectional, partially meshed pattern, meaning all traffic offered to each port was destined for all edge ports on the other switch. However, a flow control issue with the WideBand switch's firmware prevented us from completing this test.

Read more about lans & wans in Network World's LANs & WANs section.