Network Performance Toolkit(NPToolkit)

A Knoppix Live-CD

Rich CarlsonTools Tutorial

12/4/06

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Internet2 E2E Tools

• Multiple tools currently being deployed• BWCTL – active throughput tests via

NLANR’s Iperf• NDT – End host diagnostic and analysis • OWAMP – One way delay measurement• Thrulay – active throughput tests

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Network Performance Workshops

• Hands-on workshop to deploy E2E tools in campus and GigaPoP networks

• Currently focused on building and deploying tools

• Major difficulty is getting prerequisite Web100 enhanced kernel built and deployed

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Knoppix Live-CD

• A bootable Debian Linux OS• Uses RAM disk to hold working image• Can access system HW including

network, disk drives, and other peripherals

• Configuration management to save/restore customization information

• Allows simple start-up for novice user

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NPToolkit

• A specialized Knoppix Live-CD to support the Internet2 E2e Tools• Web100 enhanced Linux 2.6.17.7 kernel• Includes all Internet2 E2E tools• Includes PSC’s NPAD tool• All server processes start automatically at

boot time, using generic configuration files

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NPToolkit Knoppix Disk

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Obtaining the CD

• Download it from the Internet2 E2E web page

• Ask us for a pre-burned CD

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The Download Process

• Start at the main E2E toolkit web page• http://e2epi.internet2.edu/network-performance-toolkit.html

• Download the NPToolkit ISO image from the Internet2 web site• http://e2epi.internet2.edu/network-performance-toolkit/n

etwork-performance-toolkit.iso

• Optionally download the CD Label• http://e2epi.internet2.edu/network-performance-toolkit/

network-performance-toolkit-cd-label.bmp

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The ISO Burn Process

• Insert a blank CD into a drive and burn the ISO using your favorite program

• Identify a drive to hold customization files • USB Thumb Drive• Internal harddrive

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System Startup

• Insert the CD into the system tray

• Insert the USB thumb drive into an open port

• Power on the system

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First time steps

• The system will boot and start all 4 tools using generic, but usable, configuration files

• The last step in the boot process is to prompt the user for customization information

• Follow the on-screen prompts to create customized configs

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Customization Options

• Obtain IP address via DHCP or manually configuration

• Customize NDT and NPAD web pages

• Set BWCTL and OWAMP limits

• Setup USB thumb drive

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Setup USB Drive

• Searches for any USB drives connected to the system

• Copies /usr/local/etc/knoppix.sh file to USB drive• Knoppix searches for and executes this file

at boot time• File contains instructions to copy files from

USB drive to system space before daemons star

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Static or DHCP addressing

• Controls how IP address is configured• Prompts for• IP address• Netmask• Interface ID • Gateway

• Automatically saves/restores information during reboots

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BWCTL Customization

• Default config • Allows 30 sec TCP tests from anyone• Denies UDP tests from everyone

• Customization can • Enable access via AES authentication• Enable different limits for ‘trusted’ and

‘untrusted’ users

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NDT Customization

• Allows setting of admin email address

• Specifies NDT server location

• Specifies NDT network connection

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NPAD Customization

• Allows admin to set email address

• Specifies server location

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OWAMP Customization

• Default config • Allows up to 1 Mbps of traffic• Allows up to 100 MB of disk space

• Customization can • Enable access via AES authentication• Enable different limits for ‘trusted’ and

‘untrusted’ users

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NPToolkit Operation

• After system customization is completed, login prompt appears• Login with userid knoppix• No password

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Remote Administration

• Admin should set password for knoppix and root accounts

• Start ssh daemon /sbin/service ssh

• Startup process automatically generates new keys

• Manually save/restore /etc/passwd, /etc/group and /etc/shadow files on thumb drive

May automate this process in future customization scripts

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Future Directions

• Continue to update Customization scripts

• Upgrade tools

• Upgrade Linux Kernel

• Develop new class, focusing on how to understand the tool results

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• Questions???