

To test a connection using iPerf, you'll need at least two network interfaces, and preferably two computers. To more effectively benchmark network adapter performance, it is best to establish a point-to-point connection between two PCs, rather than connecting through a router or switch. One of the most accurate ways to benchmark network performance on a LAN is by using iPerf. File transfers are bottlenecked by a number of things, including performance limitations of the disk the data is on, and often times a lack of establishing parallel network connections to perform the task. Transferring files from one computer to another on your LAN is typically not the best way to benchmark a network adapter. Websites like, , and other performance tools in your web browser are going to use your WAN connection, and are not appropriate for determining if a network adapter is working well.

Eliminate bottlenecks, especially link rate bottlenecks.To properly benchmark network adapter performance, we need to: Each port on a network interface is a separate data connection. Each network interface has 65,535 of these logical ports. For the purposes of networking, ports are logical constructs that can also be referred to as "network ports". Some may refer to physical hardware connections as "ports". Ports and Interfaces InterfacesĪ network interface represents connections, whether wired or wireless, that are made to form a network between devices. If we were to change the Wi-Fi connection to a wired Ethernet connection capable of 1Gbps, our performance bottleneck would then become the USB 2.0 connection to the USB drive where the file is stored.

This means that, regardless of the link rates established elsewhere, the absolute maximum the data can possibly be transferred is 300Mbps.
#USB 2.0 TO ETHERNET ADAPTER AMAZON PC#

The link rate establishes how fast data can possibly be transferred across any given connection, but it does not guarantee how fast the hardware on either end of the connection will actually transfer data. Link RateĪlmost every type of connection your computer makes to any piece of hardware will have a link rate of some kind. The connection your modem makes to your ISP is the WAN, and any devices you connect through your router behind that modem belong to the LAN. Your modem, and the connection it establishes to your ISP-whether through coaxial cable, fiber, phone lines, or long-range wireless-essentially marks the point between the WAN and the LAN. In some cases, especially in businesses, you may have a separate modem and router, along with other equipment connecting to the router such as a network switch. Many homes use a combination modem/router device provided by their Internet Service Provider (ISP). Your LAN is essentially the network inside your home or business. With regards to network performance, it is crucial to first separate whether an issue is with Wide Area Network (WAN) performance, or if the issue is with Local Area Network (LAN) performance.
#USB 2.0 TO ETHERNET ADAPTER AMAZON HOW TO#
If you just need to know how to perform a network performance test/benchmark, jump down to configuring iPerf. In this article, we'll be taking a deep dive on the nuances of network performance for those who need some additional explanation while striving to be concise, and to educate users of various experience levels relating computer hardware and computer networking.
