How to Use the Command 'netserver' (with examples)

’netserver’ is a server-side command for the ’netperf’ benchmarking application, which is utilized to measure network performance metrics such as throughput and latency. It acts as the counterpart to the ’netperf’ client-side command, allowing users to establish a testing server that can accept connections from ’netperf’ clients. This utility is crucial for network administrators and engineers looking to diagnose, analyze, or optimize network performance.

Use case 1: Start a server on the default port (12865) and fork to background

Code:

netserver

Motivation:
This fundamental use case is typically employed when you want to start a ’netserver’ instance quickly with minimal configuration. By default, the ’netserver’ listens for incoming connections on port 12865. Forking the server into the background allows it to run unobtrusively while you can continue with other tasks in the terminal, making it well-suited for environments where you want the server running continuously or as part of a larger set of network tests.

Explanation:

• netserver: Initiates the ’netserver’ process using default settings. Here, it listens on port 12865 and automatically forks into the background, allowing for uninterrupted terminal use.

Example Output:
Once executed, there is no immediate output to the terminal when the command runs successfully, as the server forks into the background. However, checking active processes or open network ports should indicate that ’netserver’ is operational.

Use case 2: Start server in foreground and do not fork

Code:

netserver -D

Motivation:
Running ’netserver’ in the foreground is beneficial when you need to monitor server activity directly from the terminal. This setup is ideal for testing or debugging scenarios where you prefer to see real-time logging information or require direct manual control over the server process for troubleshooting purposes.

Explanation:

• -D: This option prevents the ’netserver’ from forking into the background, keeping it in the foreground instead. It enables more interactive management of the server process directly from the terminal.

Example Output:
The terminal will display ongoing server activity and log output directly, allowing for immediate feedback and manual interruption if necessary.

Use case 3: Specify [p]ort

Code:

netserver -p 15000

Motivation:
In multi-server environments or when default port 12865 is already in use by another service, specifying an alternative port becomes necessary. This flexibility is crucial for testing different ports for security purposes or when configuring services that need to listen on specific ports due to network topology or infrastructure requirements.

Explanation:

• -p: This flag specifies the port on which the server will listen for incoming client connections.
• 15000: An example alternate port number that the server will use instead of the default 12865.

Example Output:
There may not be visible output in the terminal as the process forks to the background unless an error occurs (such as being unable to bind to the specified port).

Use case 4: Force IPv[4] or IPv[6]

Code:

netserver -4

or

netserver -6

Motivation:
Network environments can vary between those that use IPv4 and IPv6 addressing. Choosing the IP protocol explicitly can help avoid compatibility issues with client systems or address specific testing requirements. For instance, testing IPv6 performance metrics in a network that largely operates on IPv4 can expose potential configuration issues or bottlenecks.

Explanation:

• -4: Forces ’netserver’ to use the IPv4 protocol exclusively. This is useful in predominantly IPv4 networks or when specific IPv4 testing is required.
• -6: Alternately, forces ’netserver’ to use the IPv6 protocol. This is applicable in modern networks that rely on IPv6 addressing or need testing under IPv6 conditions.

Example Output:
As with other configurations, ’netserver’ will not typically return output to the terminal once initiated but will run following the chosen IP protocol until stopped.

Conclusion:

’netserver’ provides essential capabilities for network performance testing through its various configurations. By understanding and leveraging command-line options such as specifying ports, choosing IP protocols, or managing server processes in the foreground or background, users can tailor the ’netserver’ to suit specific network environments and testing scenarios. Each use case caters to different network management needs, facilitating efficient and targeted performance analysis.