Doctors Technology Office (DTO): Technical Bulletin Test Your Network (PPN or ISP) Performance
Objective: DTO TB - #16-005 To ensure your network is performing within specification, and that all networking equipment is configured correctly.
Brief Description (Non-Technical):
This technical bulletin will provide a number of tests that can be used to assess the health and performance of your network: (Is your network performing within specifications?) These diagnostic tests can reveal: Potential configuration errors of the network (Local and Wide Area) Potential configuration errors for equipment (Local and Wide Area)
Potential Impact:
If you are dealing with incorrectly configured equipment, performance may be reduced by more than 50%. Users may also experience the following: Random disconnection; Extensive hour-glass; Slow printing; Slow uploads of scans; Need for repeated log in; Plus many other performance issues.
Tests: (Detail instructions can be found on page 2.)
1. Bandwidth tests will ensure your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or the Private Network (PPN) is operating optimally for the circuit type installed. Always run each test a few times to have a more accurate measurement. 2. Speed/Duplex mismatch tests will reveal incorrectly configured networking equipment problems. 3. Latency tests will measure the speed or amount of delays in your network.
Other Factors that Impact Performance to Consider:
Software/hardware incompatibility Numerous/Unnecessary browser toolbars Too many opened browsers Bloat ware (Hardware manufactures’ unique, preinstalled, but unnecessary software.) Old, under powered computers Outdated network cards & drivers Consumer instead of "Prosumer" or business quality devices Network cables under desks or cabinets Consumer wireless router incorrectly configured Malware/ Spyware; Unsupported OS (i.e. Windows XP); etc.
Author: Patrick Wong, Lynne Martel Original Date Created: 2016-11-07
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Background:
Through our experience supporting clinics with performance issues, we have come across under- performing networks due to incorrect installation, incorrect configuration and saturation. Understanding the root cause of such issues will assist you with finding the proper solution.
Before you begin testing, you should know the uniqueness of your PPN network. Understanding the circuit type you have will help you to know what can be expected, given the optimal setup. For those not on the PPN private network, know what your Internet Service Provider (ISP) is providing.
Typical PPN circuit types: (If you are unsure of the service, please call DTO or BCCSS for verification.)
Expected Download Expected Download Circuit Type (Mbps) (Mbps) PPN1 3.5 to 5.0 0.6 to 1.0 PPN1(ER) 1.5 1 to 1.5 PPN (25/5) 23 to 25 4 to 5 PPN2 MB 4 to 5 4 to 5 PPN3 9 to 10 9 to 10 What you purchased + or - What you purchased + or - ISP 10% 10%
Internet Speed:
The numbers provided, such as 10Mbps (Ten Megabit per second) is not a measurement of speed per say, but rather a measurement of the possible theoretical data-transfer rate, also known as “Bandwidth”. Speed, aka throughput - the actual data-transfer rate after interference is taken into account – is never provided due to the many factors that affects its outcome.
Analogy: Bandwidth ≡ Lanes on a highway. The number of lanes is important only when there are many vehicles on the road. When there is little traffic, adding more lanes will not improve speed.
Identifying data traffic pattern is critical to optimize performance. In other words, there are situations where increasing the bandwidth will help. (Please give DTO a call if your network is always saturated.)
Details and Additional Information (Technical):
Bandwidth Test: From a web browser: http://babylon.bb.telus.com/ http://vancouver.speedtest.telus.com
Internet speed test tools do not provide an accurate measurement of the PPN. The following tests are Author: Patrick Wong, Lynne Martel Original Date Created: 2016-11-07
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for those on the private PPN network. URL: http://perf.ppn Under ‘Internet Test & Tools’ click on the ‘Babylon HTTP’ link and press ‘Begin Test’.
Note: Performance may vary slightly depending on overall system utilization at the time the tests are run. We recommend you run a minimum of 3-5 times to get an average. If the results are not within close range of the clinics circuit type (listed above) please contact your EMR vendor and they will open a ticket with Telus on your behalf.
Speed/Duplex Mismatch Test: (PPN Network) Performance is severely degraded when the switch is not duplexing/ syncing correctly with the PPN layer3 (Router). For example, the switch is set to 100Mbps/ half-duplex while the PPN router is set to 1000Mbps/ full-duplex. To assess whether you have a duplex mismatch, do the following:
1. Identify your PPN gateway IP address (from a command prompt, type :) o tracert 8.8.8.8 (the first returned IP address should be your gateway address) or o ipconfig /all (look under "Default Gateway") 2. Using the Ping command, ping the PPN gateway IP address and review the results to identify if errors or packet loss has occurred; this indicates a potential speed or duplex mismatch - equipment configuration issue. o ping -n 100 "the Default Gateway IP address" i.e. ping -n 100 10.2xx.xxx.xxx o pathping -n 100 "the Default Gateway IP address" i.e. pathping –n 100 10.2xx.xxx.xxx
From the ping statistic summary displayed, at the end of the ping tests, “Lost = a percent number i.e. 10%” indicates packet loss. Repeat the ping test to have a more accurate reading of packet loss. Reset the switch side port to match the PPN router, or simply reset the switch port to auto-auto.
Latency and Packet Loss Test From a command prompt Type the following command ‘ping extranet.int.ppn –t –l 1500’ (without quotes) Let this test run for several minutes (
Note: Clinics are encouraged to contact their local IT to mitigate these impacts during business hours.
Doctors Technology Office, 604-638-5841, [email protected]
Author: Patrick Wong, Lynne Martel Original Date Created: 2016-11-07
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