How can you measure LAN-WAN network performance?

1 What are LAN and WAN?

Before we dive into the measurement techniques, let's briefly review what LAN and WAN are and how they differ. A LAN is a network that connects devices within a small geographical area, such as a home, office, or building. A WAN is a network that connects devices across a large geographical area, such as a city, country, or the world. The Internet is the most common example of a WAN. LANs and WANs have different characteristics, such as speed, reliability, security, and cost. Generally, LANs are faster, more reliable, more secure, and less expensive than WANs, but they have limited reach and scalability.

2 How to measure bandwidth?

Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transferred over a network in a given time. It is usually measured in bits per second (bps) or megabits per second (Mbps). Bandwidth is one of the main factors that affect the network performance, as it determines how fast data can be sent and received. To measure bandwidth, you can use various tools, such as speed tests, network analyzers, or bandwidth monitors. These tools can measure the available bandwidth, the actual bandwidth usage, and the bandwidth consumption by different applications or devices. You can also use ping tests to measure the round-trip time (RTT) of data packets, which is another indicator of bandwidth efficiency.

3 How to measure latency?

Latency is the delay between sending and receiving data over a network. It is usually measured in milliseconds (ms). Latency affects the network performance, as it determines how responsive and interactive the network is. High latency can cause delays, errors, or interruptions in applications that require real-time communication, such as video conferencing, gaming, or streaming. To measure latency, you can use ping tests, traceroute tests, or latency tests. These tests can measure the average latency, the minimum latency, the maximum latency, and the standard deviation of latency over a network. You can also use jitter tests to measure the variation of latency over time, which is another source of network instability.

4 How to measure packet loss?

Packet loss is the percentage of data packets that are lost or discarded over a network. It is usually measured in percentage (%). Packet loss affects the network performance, as it reduces the quality and reliability of data transmission. Packet loss can occur due to various reasons, such as congestion, errors, interference, or misconfiguration. To measure packet loss, you can use ping tests, traceroute tests, or packet loss tests. These tests can measure the packet loss rate, the packet loss distribution, and the packet loss causes over a network. You can also use retransmission tests to measure the number of packets that are resent due to packet loss, which is another measure of network inefficiency.

5 How to measure throughput?

Throughput is the amount of data that is successfully transferred over a network in a given time. It is usually measured in bits per second (bps) or megabits per second (Mbps). Throughput is the ultimate measure of network performance, as it reflects the actual data transfer rate that is achieved over a network. Throughput can be affected by various factors, such as bandwidth, latency, packet loss, jitter, and protocol overhead. To measure throughput, you can use various tools, such as speed tests, network analyzers, or throughput tests. These tools can measure the upload throughput, the download throughput, and the bidirectional throughput over a network. You can also use TCP window tests to measure the optimal size of data packets that can be sent without causing congestion or loss, which is another factor that affects throughput.

6 How to troubleshoot network performance issues?

Once you have measured the network performance metrics, you can use them to identify and troubleshoot any network performance issues. For example, if you experience low bandwidth, high latency, high packet loss, or low throughput, you can diagnose and resolve the problem by checking the physical layer of the network (cables, connectors, routers, switches, and firewalls) for proper connection and configuration. You should also check the logical layer (IP addresses, subnets, gateways, DNS servers, and protocols) for correct assignment and compatibility. Additionally, you should examine the application layer (software, services, and settings) to ensure compatibility and optimization. Furthermore, it is essential to monitor external factors that may affect the network performance such as network traffic, topology, provider, and security. By following these steps, you can improve the network performance and ensure a smooth and secure data communication over LAN-WAN networks.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?