topic Re: Telnet latency test in Operating System - Linux

Telnet latency test

Michael Poland_3 — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 16:09:56 GMT

Is there a way to assess the latency of a WAN link using telnet to an rp3410 host?
Our service provider says that the results of a ping are not going to reflect the results of a telnet session. Ping apparently is set to a lower service level on the circuit. I'd like to find out if they are spinning me a yarn.
Thanks.

Re: Telnet latency test

Ragu_3 — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 02:46:53 GMT

apt-get install kismet

Monitor your links and maybe you can find out the points which are dropping packets.

Re: Telnet latency test

Al Licause — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 11:03:34 GMT

There are routers and other devices that can assign priorities or preferences to certain types of service but it is difficult to say which have and have not been done.

Pings only touch the lowest layers of the commication stack and so a ping test is often far from conclusive with regard to application testing.

If you are seeing consistant delays when running interactive applications like telnet, then try to characterize the delays. Also try observing the sessions using tcpdump.

Also keep in mind that a users perception of a delay can also be very subjective....so start with a base line level of service that is acceptable to all and then go from there.