iPerf3 – Test Network Speed/Throughput in Linux

iPerf3 is a widely-used open-source command-line tool designed for use for testing network speed and throughput in Linux systems. It allows you to measure the maximum achievable network bandwidth between a client and a server. iPerf3 is a successor to the original iPerf tool and provides several improvements and additional features.

Here are some key features of iPerf3:

1. Network Speed Testing: iPerf3 allows you to measure network throughput, packet loss, and latency by generating TCP or UDP data streams between a client and a server.

2. Client-Server Architecture: iPerf3 operates in a client-server model where one machine acts as the server and another as the client. The client sends data to the server, and the server measures and reports the achieved network performance.

3. Cross-Platform Compatibility: iPerf3 is available for various operating systems, including Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD, and more. This cross-platform compatibility makes it a versatile tool for network testing in diverse environments.

4. Flexible Testing Options: iPerf3 offers numerous configuration options to customize the testing parameters. You can control the duration of the test, specify the amount of data to be transmitted, adjust the TCP window size, set the buffer sizes, and more.

5. TCP and UDP Testing: iPerf3 supports both TCP and UDP protocols for testing. TCP tests are typically used to measure the maximum achievable throughput, while UDP tests can help identify network characteristics like packet loss and jitter.

6. Multiple Reporting Formats: iPerf3 provides various reporting formats to display the test results. It offers simple text-based output, JSON format for machine-readable results, and CSV format for easy integration with other tools or scripts.

iPerf3 is widely used by network administrators, IT professionals, and researchers to assess network performance, troubleshoot network issues, and optimize network configurations. Its command-line interface offers flexibility and scripting capabilities, making it a powerful tool for network testing and analysis. 

How to test network speed in Linux:

It measures the maximum achievable bandwidth between a client and a server by generating TCP or UDP data streams. Here's how you can use iPerf3 to test network speed in Linux:

1. Install iPerf3:

   • On Debian/Ubuntu-based systems, open a terminal and run:

     arduino
     sudo apt-get install iperf3
     

   • On Red Hat-based systems, use the following command:

     sudo yum install iperf3
     

2. Set up the server:

   • Choose a Linux machine to act as the server. Run the following command on the server:

     iperf3 -s
     

   • This starts iPerf3 in server mode, waiting for client connections.

3. Run the client test:

   • On another Linux machine in the same network, open a terminal and run the following command:

     php
     iperf3 -c <server_ip>
     

     Replace <server_ip> with the IP address or hostname of the server.

   • By default, iPerf3 uses TCP as the transport protocol and runs a 10-second test. It measures the throughput in megabits per second (Mbps) and displays the results.

   • You can modify the test duration using the -t flag followed by the desired duration in seconds. For example, to run a 30-second test:

     php
     iperf3 -c <server_ip> -t 30
     

   • If you want to use UDP instead of TCP, use the -u flag. For example:

     php
     iperf3 -c <server_ip> -u
     

   • There are many other options and flags available in iPerf3 for customizing the test parameters. You can explore them by running iperf3 --help.

That's it! You can now use iPerf3 to test network speed and throughput in your Linux environment.