RFC - 4814

Hash and Stuffing: Overlooked Factors in Network Device Benchmarking

Original:	ftp://ftp.isi.edu/in-notes/rfc4814.txt
Authors:	D. Newman [Network Test], T. Player [Spirent Communications]
Date:	March 2007
Category:	Informational

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Referred by:	0 RFC
Refers to:	8 RFC

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Status

This memo provides information for the Internet community. It does not specify an Internet standard of any kind. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

Copyright (C) The IETF Trust (2007).

Abstract

Test engineers take pains to declare all factors that affect a given measurement, including intended load, packet length, test duration, and traffic orientation. However, current benchmarking practice overlooks two factors that have a profound impact on test results. First, existing methodologies do not require the reporting of addresses or other test traffic contents, even though these fields can affect test results. Second, "stuff" bits and bytes inserted in test traffic by some link-layer technologies add significant and variable overhead, which in turn affects test results. This document describes the effects of these factors; recommends guidelines for test traffic contents; and offers formulas for determining the probability of bit- and byte-stuffing in test traffic.

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