Networks are never steady. They keep changing as they evolve. You can perform network testing to know how your network performs regarding speed, performance, and application. Network testing can be done using network testing and monitoring tools designed for the purpose.
Network Testing, also known as Network Performance Testing, is performed on the same lines as software testing. It involves evaluating and testing your network by running it through a network performance test. Network Testing helps identify bugs and any issues that may hamper performance. It also helps measure the overall performance of the network.
It is generally observed that even the most robust networks face problems. That’s precisely why a network performance test is recommended for every new service deployment or even when you migrate from one network to another. It must be inculcated as a routine practice so that problems can be detected early and appropriate measures applied instead of waiting for the problem to worsen and affect your work processes.
Setting up network testing is easy. It can be done in a few minutes.
Choose A Dedicated Network Testing Software
Knowing how to test a network involves using a substantial number of resources and some manual effort. Additionally, your job will become easy if you choose the right network monitoring tools.
It is important to understand that the commonly used network monitoring solutions are passive. They are designed to monitor devices and inform you if they are in good shape. But you need something more than these basic systems to actually test your network.
The ideal network performance monitoring software will
- Monitor your network from the end-user standpoint
- Carry out network performance tests on an ongoing basis
- Measure key network-specific metrics
When you choose an advanced and reputed network testing system or process, you can expect more detailed information. You will also get an analysis of the problems affecting your network performance and how it impacts end users.
Deploy Monitoring Agents for Network Testing
Network monitoring systems test and monitors your network performance on an ongoing basis. Generally, this is done by monitoring data packets through your network using network monitoring agents. They create artificial traffic for
- Measuring central metrics of the network
- Identifying the key problem areas in your network
- Collecting historical data
- Providing a real-time view of the network performance
Before you begin, make sure the monitoring agents are correctly installed in key network locations such as the workstations, data centers, leading branches, and private and public clouds.
Collect All Network-Related Data
The next step involves collecting network data. To achieve this, use the best monitoring agents in key network locations and test and measure the most critical network metrics, such as:
- Latency
- Packet loss
- Quality of VoIP
- Network speed
- Level of jittery
- Throughput
These metrics will allow you to identify loss of performance in the network. It can also point out issues that may flare up in the future and affect your critical processes.
Analyze Historical Network Data
When you notice a perceptible change in your network performance, it’s time to run network testing and get to the root cause of the problem.
Analyzing historical performance data helps decode network functioning and its performance before, after, and during the distinguishable changes to your network infrastructure.
The system will measure and collect historical network performance data for you so that you can compare and analyze the performances and initiate troubleshooting measures.
You can compare network performance before and after a new service migration by going back in time to locate a time range to find the problems and initiate measures to fix them.
Identify Network Problems
Network issues and bugs can be found even in the best-performing networks. By installing an end-to-end testing and monitoring setup, you can gather the data needed to identify and troubleshoot the problem areas. You can get your network back to optimal performance mode quickly.
The system is primed to initiate alerts automatically when there is packet loss between specific sites or when there is a high level of jitter during VoIP calls, etc.
Various types of troubleshooting solutions are available to help you locate the route and latency between two sites and find the exact spaces prone to network problems. Speed tests are generally a good measure of validating the bandwidth needed for your tasks. Network device monitoring tools can provide detailed information about the health of a network. They can check the performance of routers, switches, Wi-Fi points, and firewalls.
Conclusion
Businesses increasingly depend on a high-performing network to manage cloud applications and virtual communications. They also assist in operating several key areas of your business better. In today’s highly competitive business environment, network testing and monitoring is vital for all types of business. Choose advanced network monitoring systems designed for testing your network on an ongoing basis. This will give you instant visibility to any changes in network performance and identify the areas that need improvement.
