iPerf3 Network Bandwidth Testing Tool | Generated by AI
What is iPerf3?
iPerf3 is an open-source command-line tool designed for measuring network bandwidth and performance. It’s commonly used to test the maximum achievable throughput on IP networks by simulating traffic between two endpoints (one acting as a server and the other as a client). This helps diagnose issues like latency, packet loss, and bottlenecks in local or wide-area networks.
Key Features:
- Protocols Supported: TCP, UDP, and SCTP for flexible testing scenarios.
- Customization: Allows tuning parameters like buffer sizes, test duration, and bidirectional traffic.
- Output: Provides detailed statistics on bandwidth, jitter, and datagram loss.
Basic Usage Example:
To test bandwidth between two machines:
- On the server:
iperf3 -s(starts the server). - On the client:
iperf3 -c <server_IP>(connects and runs a 10-second test by default).
It’s lightweight, cross-platform (works on Linux, Windows, macOS), and widely used by network admins, developers, and IT pros for troubleshooting.
History:
iPerf3 is a complete rewrite of the original iPerf tool, started in 2009 by ESnet (Energy Sciences Network) and first released in 2014. The redesign aimed for a smaller, more maintainable codebase while improving accuracy.
For more details, check the official site or GitHub repo.
References
- iPerf - The TCP, UDP and SCTP network bandwidth measurement tool
- iperf3: A TCP, UDP, and SCTP network bandwidth measurement tool
- Iperf - Wikipedia