In the modern world, a slow or unreliable network is the biggest buzzkill, it can cause a hindrance in cloud applications, data transfers, and even remote work connectivity. This is why a reliable network throughput is essential to accurately measure and diagnose performance issues and optimising data flow.
Network throughput test software helps administrators and IT professionals assess how much data a network can handle under real-world conditions. This guide helps explore what a network throughput is and what sets it apart from the bandwidth and latency along with the best tools to improve the performance.
What Is Network Throughput?
Network throughput refers to the actual amount of data that is successfully transmitted over a network from one point to another within the specified time frame in bits per second, or MB/ GB per second.
Unlike the speed limits that we learn from a theoretical point of view, a network throughput test software measures the performance based on real-world tasks. These tests could include metrics like network congestion, hardware capabilities, and protocol overhead. The tests provide a view of how well your network can handle data under different conditions.
How Network Throughput Differs from Bandwidth & Latency
While all three of these terms are used interchangeably, they are quite different from each other.
- Bandwidth is the maximum data transfer capacity of a network connection. More like a width of a highway that defines how many car lanes can be made on it.
- Latency is the amount of time that is delayed between a data request and the response. It is usually measured in milliseconds (ms) and represents the travelling speed of the data.
- Throughput is the actual volume of the data that was successfully transferred from one point to another in a given time. It is directly affected by both bandwidth and latency.
Best Network Throughput Test Software
The best network throughput test software is completely dependent on your needs and use cases. Here are some of the best ones available for use.
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| Tool | Platform | Type | Key Features | Use Case | Free / Paid |
| iPerf / iPerf3 | Windows, Linux, macOS | CLI Tool | TCP/UDP throughput, jitter, loss, bidirectional testing | Advanced testing, scripting, automation | Free, Open Source |
| NetPerf | Windows, Linux | CLI Tool | Measures TCP/UDP latency and throughput, flexible test options | Network performance tuning and analysis | Free, Open Source |
| TamoSoft Throughput Test | Windows | GUI Tool | Client-server model, graphs, real-time throughput, TCP/UDP support | Easy-to-use GUI for throughput testing | Free for non-commercial use |
| LAN Speed Test | Windows, macOS | GUI Tool | File transfer-based speed testing, simple interface | Home or small business LAN testing | Paid (Free Lite version) |
| Ostinato | Windows, Linux, macOS | GUI Packet Generator | Custom packet crafting, traffic replay, multi-stream generation | Simulating and testing network scenarios | Paid (Free trial available) |
| SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor | Windows Server | Enterprise Monitoring Suite | Real-time monitoring, alerting, SNMP support, detailed reports | Enterprise-grade monitoring and throughput | Paid (Free trial available) |
Use Cases for Network Throughput Testing
Some of the best and most common use cases for network throughput testing are in data centers and companies where employees work remotely, since they both require high speed networks.
- Data Centers
In data centers, high speed network throughput is crucial for seamless communication between the servers and other infrastructure features. Rigid network throughput testing ensures that the network can handle large volumes of data without any hurdles or turtlenecks.
- Remote Work Connectivity
Since most companies are moving towards remote work, therefore it is important to ensure that you use stable and fast VPN. Networking throughput testing helps most IT teams evaluate the quality of remote connections, detect bandwidth limitations, and improve configurations.
- Cloud Migrations
When you are moving the workload to the cloud, it is important that you move to faster networks to ensure seamless data transfer. Throughput testing during and after the migration helps you figure out all the potential bottlenecks and ensure that the applications perform reliably.
- Application Performance Tuning
Some applications can slow down due to network related issues. By regular network throughput testing, you can ensure that you encounter zero downtime.
Common Bottlenecks Identified in Throughput Tests
While testing network throughput, you can encounter some issues that need attention.
- Bandwidth Limitations
One of the most common issues during throughput testing is hitting the maximum bandwidth. This mostly occurs when you are competing with multiple devices or applications for network resources.
- Latency and Jitter
High latency or inconsistent jitter can reduce the effectiveness of throughput, mainly for real-time applications like video conferencing or VoIP. These issues mainly occur due to long distancing routing or misconfigured QoS policies.
- Packet Loss
Even a small amount of packet loss can decrease the throughput. This can result in network congestion, faulty hardware, or interference in wireless environments.
- Hardware Limitations
Hardware limitations such as network interferences, switches, or routers can cause hindrance.
- Protocol Overhead
Certain protocols can add overheads that can in turn reduce the real throughput of a network.
- Poor Cabling or Interference
Physical hardware issues are the biggest cause of incorrect results while testing. This can include degraded cables, incorrect connectors, or electromagnetic interference.
Conclusion
Using a network throughput test software regularly is essential for maintaining optimal performance in complex environments. From data centers to remote work environments, it is essential to aim for the best network throughput.
