Measurement of data performance parameters for data/VTC networks

The authors present the results of a study to measure selected user-oriented performance parameters between workstation-server pairs on Ethernets. The primary goal was to measure end-to-end performance of data and video teleconferencing (VTC) networked systems. Thin-wire Ethernet (10Base2), MAC layer bridges, simulated satellite links, and fiber optics were used in this laboratory controlled experiment. Test software that resides in the pairs of workstation-server microcomputers was developed. Parameter values were obtained in accordance with specifications defined in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) X3.102. This standard defines user-oriented, system-independent data communication performance parameters. Experiment design followed the method in ANSI X3.141, the companion standard for measurement of the performance parameters. Results of the experiment demonstrate the feasibility of applying the standards in practical measurements and provided information on access times, file transfer times, and throughput for a variety of configurations tested