Polycom NETTACH HELP User Manual

NetTach Help

Preliminary and Confidential - Beta-2 Draft - 10/30/97 1

Table of Contents

What Is NetTach? .......................................................................................................................3

How Does NetTach Work?......................................................................................................3

What Else Can You Do With NetTach?...................................................................................3

Installing NetTach........................................................................................................................4

System Requirements.............................................................................................................4

Running NetTach Tests...............................................................................................................4

Running a Test Using the NetTach Configuration Wizard........................................................5

Running a Test Using the Network Options Dialog Box...........................................................5

Running a Test Using QuickStart............................................................................................5

Using Advanced NetTach Options ..........................................................................................6

Testing a Connection Over Time ....................................................................................6

Creating a Log File .........................................................................................................7

Importing Log Files into Excel.........................................................................................7

Determining a Connection’s Bandwidth Threshold...........................................................7

Displaying NetTach Results .........................................................................................................7

Displaying the Summary Screen.............................................................................................7

Displaying the Statistics View Screen .....................................................................................8

Displaying the Jitter View Screen ............................................................................................8

Definitions

packet loss..............................................................................................................................8

out of order packets................................................................................................................8

jitter........................................................................................................................................8

transfer rate............................................................................................................................8

Illustrations

The Status Bar........................................................................................................................9

The Jitter View Screen............................................................................................................ 9

The Statistics View Screen ...................................................................................................10

The Network Options Dialog Box (General Tab) ...................................................................10

The Network Options Dialog Box (Admin Tab)......................................................................11

The Network Options Dialog Box (Advanced Tab) ................................................................12

The Summary Screen ...........................................................................................................12

The Excel Text Import Wizard..............................................................................................13

Index.........................................................................................................................................14

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What Is NetTach?

NetTach is a program that tests a computer-to-computer network connection and tells you if the
connection is capable of supporting H.323 videoconferencing.

NetTach does this by sending and receiving data packets between two personal computers. The
data packets are sized and transmitted with a frequency similar to the traffic generated by
videoconferencing endpoints such as PictureTel LiveLAN, Microsoft NetMeeting, and PictureTel
Venue/VIU.

NetTach is designed to be used by anyone, no matter what their level of network experience. To
use the advanced features as effectively as possible, though, it’s helpful to understand basic
network terms and concepts.

How Does NetTach Work?

NetTach runs simultaneously on two computers. One computer runs NetTach in sender mode,
transmitting packets of data to the second computer. The second computer runs NetTach in
receiver mode, gathering information about the packets received, then looping them back to the
sender.

When the test cycle ends, NetTach displays the information on a variety of screens, allowing you
to choose the level of detail and format you wish to view.

What Else Can You Do With NetTach?

Beyond performing a simple test of a computer-to-computer data transmission, you can use
NetTach to:

Display test results a variety of ways - NetTach displays basic test results on the Summary
screen, but it also provides more advanced test results through the Statistics View screen and
the Jitter View screen.

Test a connection over time - For more in-depth network analysis, NetTach can collect data
over a 24-hour (or longer) period. It writes this data into a log file that can be imported by a
spreadsheet program to help analyze the data. See Creating Log Files and Importing Log Files
into Excel.

Determine a connection’s bandwidth threshold - You can run a test to find the maximum
amount of bandwidth a network connection can support. See Determining a Connection’s
Bandwidth Threshold.

Manually configure your own tests - If you’re a network expert, you can adjust a wide variety
of parameters to set up your own tests. See Using the Network Options Dialog Box.

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To Install NetTach

You must install NetTach on both the receiving and the sending computers. You can install
NetTach on many receivers and many senders - as many computers as you would like to test. It
is best to install NetTach on the computer you intend to use as your NetTach receiver first.

System Requirements: To install and run NetTach, both the receiving and the sending
computer must have a 32-bit operating system (either Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0 Server or
Workstation) and support for the TCP/IP protocol.

1. Copy the NetTach files from the NetConference CD-ROM to an appropriate location on the
computer you intend to use as your NetTach receiver.

2. Double click setup.exe.
The InstallShield wizard automatically installs NetTach. Answer the questions according to

what is appropriate for your environment, specifying this system as the Receiver.

3. Go to the computer you intend to use as your NetTach sender and copy the NetTach files
from the NetConference CD-ROM to an appropriate location on the computer.

4. Double click setup.exe.
The InstallShield wizard automatically installs NetTach. Answer the questions according to

what is appropriate for your environment, specifying this system as the Sender.

Note that to run a NetTach test, you must start NetTach on the receiving computer first.

Running NetTach Tests

There are several ways you can run NetTach tests:
Using the NetTach Configuration Wizard: This easy-to-follow wizard lets you configure and

run a simple test in just seconds. The wizard is the best choice for first-time NetTach users.
Using the Network Options Dialog Box: This dialog box lets you select a variety of test

parameters for performing more detailed tests.
Using QuickStart!: Once you’ve selected and saved your testing options, you can select

QuickStart! to immediately run the test.
Using Advanced NetTach Options: This section describes more advanced ways you can test

with NetTach.

Note that you must start NetTach on the receiving computer first!

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To Run a Test Using the NetTach Configuration
Wizard

The NetTach Configuration Wizard helps you configure NetTach to run a simple test quickly and
easily. First-time NetTach users should use the Configuration Wizard to become familiar with
NetTach. The Wizard screens provide information to help you make the choices appropriate for
your environment.

1. Click the Wizard icon .

2. Answer the questions on each Wizard screen or accept the defaults by clicking Next.

The Wizard begins running the test automatically. Watch the status bar, on the bottom of the
main NetTach window, for real-time information about the test.

When the test is complete, the Summary screen appears.

To Run a Test Using the Network Options Dialog
Box

1. Click the Network Options icon .

2. On the General tab, click the application or data rate you wish to simulate.

3. Select Sender or Receiver mode.

4. If you selected Sender, enter either the remote host name or the IP address under

Remote Host.

5. Click the Admin tab.

6. Change or accept the defaults for the Jitter Limits, Packet Loss, and Iterations.

7. Check the desired options under Program Control.

8. Click the Advanced tab.

9. Select the TCP/IP connection type.

10. Specify a Port Number.

11. Type in the Packet Parameters, Packet Rate, and Timeout.

12. Check AutoScan only if you want to determine a connection’s bandwidth threshold.

13. Click Start.

The Advanced tab options must match on the sending and the receiving computers.

To Run a Test Using QuickStart!

1. Click QuickStart! on the NetTach main screen.

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