From: "Brigitta Shore"Subject: NETWORK GIANTS INSTALL LINUX-BASED TEST BED Date: Mon, 23 Aug 1999 11:31:39 -0700 Press Contacts: Neal Nelson Neal Nelson & Associates (312) 755-1000 neal@nna.com Elena Verlee Verlee Communications (604) 734-5630 everlee@home.com NETWORK GIANTS INSTALL LINUX-BASED TEST BED Breakthrough in network testing takes advantage of Linux speed to create realistic stress test Chicago, IL (August 23, 1999) -Linux continues to receive solid backing from major players, with Cabletron Systems, Xylan and FORE Systems installing network test equipment based on the popular open-source software. Designed by benchmarking specialist Neal Nelson & Associates, the Network Stress Test is the first large-scale tool to use real clients and servers to send actual network traffic at very high bit rates. The speed and bandwidth capacity of the Linux platform, coupled with Nelson's unique testing methodology, enables manufacturers and potential buyers alike to evaluate new products using the most extreme, real-world network traffic patterns. Unlocking the power of Linux "Linux is an excellent operating system for large clusters of computers," comments John Hynds, Director of Systems Engineering for Xylan. "It has very efficient LAN drivers, can generate high volumes of network traffic and comes with a full set of client and server application software. Also, there are no additional licensing charges when it is installed on a cluster with any number of individual machines. It is a very powerful and cost-effective option." Real network traffic provides superior testing While other testing methods generate artificial packets of data from simulated applications, Nelson's breakthrough in network testing enables technicians to quickly and easily configure thousands of real clients talking to thousands of real servers in a laboratory environment. Billions of bits per second of real network traffic are generated by the technique, and the network throughput can be immediately analyzed to uncover problem areas. "This type of testing makes a lot of sense," says Kevin Brown, Senior Marketing Director for Cabletron. "Using high volumes of real network traffic is completely different from, and in some ways superior to, testing with artificial traffic generators. Neal Nelson's method assures us that we have put our products through the most realistic stress test possible." Automated test execution The Network Stress Test is a fully automated benchmark that can conduct long and complicated tests with just a few clicks of the mouse. Vendors can now conduct quality testing more efficiently, ensuring that their products are of the highest reliability before they are released in the market. This automation significantly improves on the industry standard 30-minute tests, which needed to be re-set manually. The Network Stress Test runs on a cluster of Linux-based computers with multiple local area network adapters in each machine. The infrastructure can support 10,000 simultaneous user sessions and perform a variety of common network activities like web browsing, Telnet/Rlogin sessions, FTP file transfers, email, streaming video and multicast communications. Neal Nelson, founder of Neal Nelson & Associates, originally developed the testing infrastructure for use at the US Army Technology Integration Center in Fort Huachuca, Arizona. He comments: "Modern networks are being challenged to handle increasingly complex loads that include huge volumes of World Wide Web traffic, audio streams, video streams and multicast data. These rapid innovations in network technology required that we develop similar advances in network testing techniques. The result is our Network Stress Test - one tough test that can assure vendors and buyers that their products won't let them down in high-traffic, real-world conditions." About Cabletron Cabletron Systems is a pioneer in high-performance computer networking and provides dependable network access and communications to millions of people worldwide. With scaleable products designed for Fortune 1000 enterprise networks, service providers and small businesses, Cabletron provides simple, reliable and cost-effective business solutions for the information age. About FORE Systems FORE Systems is a leading global supplier of high performance networking solutions. FORE's Networks of SteelT deliver the increased capacity, resiliency and scalability necessary to build networks that last. Thousands of enterprise and service provider customers worldwide have put FORE Systems' solutions at the heart of their networks. About Xylan Xylan is an Alcatel company focused on developing powerful internetworking products for enterprises and service providers. For enterprise customers, Xylan's networks are so powerful that they can bypass an entire generation of network change. They combine ease of management, high performance, and easy integration with existing equipment and software. For service providers, Xylan builds equipment for high-speed multi-service VPNs. Xylan's solutions integrate broad connectivity options, advanced software for partitioning and security, and any-to-any switching. Xylan helps service providers build profitable networks. About Neal Nelson & Associates Neal Nelson & Associates is an independent testing and consulting company founded in 1973. It is not affiliated with any manufacturer or vendor and offers a number of products and services including the Business Benchmarkâ, the industry's premier multi-tasking artificial batch benchmark. The firm has its primary office and a testing laboratory in Chicago. Neal Nelson & Associates' client list includes companies such as: FedEx, IBM, McDonald's, Northern Telecom, Sprint and major government agencies including the Internal Revenue Service, US Department of the Air Force, US Department of the Navy and US Department of the Army. # # #