Preparations
Preparing a Test Server and a Test Terminal
Test Server
Before testing wireless performance, select a test server with similar performance to that of APs. If allowed, send traffic in wired mode to test server performance. For APs with performance close to 1 Gbit/s, such as the AP7030DE, use a PC with good performance (supporting a speed of about 975 Mbit/s) as a test server. For Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 APs with better performance, select servers with better performance.
Install IxChariot (6.7 or later) and Endpoint (7.0 or later) on the server, and update the network adapter driver on the server. The latest network adapter driver is recommended.
Test Terminal
Similar to a test server, a wireless test terminal with good performance is recommended. Endpoint (7.0 or later) must be installed on the test terminal. It is recommended that no other software be installed on the terminal.
Configuration Requirements for the Test Server and Test Terminal
Ensure that no unnecessary process is running on the test server or test terminal. During the pre-test, check the CPU usage and memory usage of the server and terminal in real time. If the usage exceeds 85%, the performance of the server or terminal is insufficient. In this case, select a server or terminal with better hardware performance.
Ensure that the test terminal has sufficient power and does not work in power-saving mode.
Test Environment
Radio interference in the test environment should be as low as possible, so a shield room is recommended.
If there is no shielded room, it is recommended that a radio scanning tool be used to select a channel with little interference for the test. If interference of common channels is high, select radar channels for the test.
Keep the test terminal (for example, a laptop) close to the AP. Place the AP vertically, facing the top cover of the laptop. The distance between the AP and laptop ranges from 20 cm to 1 m, ensuring an RSSI of about –35 dBm for the laptop.
Setting Up a Performance Test Network
Set up a performance test network according to the network diagram in Figure 19-32.
The core part of a performance test is the radio environment between an AP and a traffic simulation client. The client communicates with the AP through radio signals. Service traffic flows from the client to the AP, and reaches the uplink traffic simulation server.
Based on the test networking diagram and AP performance data, factors that affect performance include the device under test (DUT) and its configuration, radio environment, AP performance, wired network, and server performance and configuration.
During the test, if performance fails to reach the expected result, see Performance Troubleshooting to rectify the fault.