Installation Guide

Chapter 2: Tools Using the Link Capacity Test tool
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Using the Link Capacity Test tool
The Link Capacity Test tab allows you to measure the throughput and efficiency of the RF link between
two modules. Many factors, including packet length, affect throughput.
The Link Capacity Test tool has following modes:
• Link Test with Multiple VCs: Tests radio-to-radio communication across selected or all registered
VCs, but does not bridge traffic (PMP 450m Series AP only).
• Link Test without Bridging: Tests radio-to-radio communication, but does not bridge traffic.
• Link Test with Bridging: Bridges traffic to “simulated” Ethernet ports, providing a status of the
bridged link.
• Link Test with Bridging and MIR: Bridges the traffic during test and also adheres to any MIR
(Maximum Information Rate) settings for the link.
• Extrapolated Link Test: Estimates the link capacity by sending few packets and measuring link
quality.
The Link Capacity Test tab contains the settable parameter Packet Length with a range of 64 to 1714
bytes. This allows you to compare throughput levels that result from various packet sizes.
The Current Results Status also displayed date and time of last performed Link Capacity Test. If there is
any change in time zone, the date and time will be adjusted accordingly.
Note
The Extrapolated Link Test can be run by Read-Only login also.
Performing Link Test
The link test is a tool that allows the user to test the performance of the RF link. Packets are added to
one or more queues in the AP in order to fill the frame. Throughput and efficiency are then calculated
during the test. The 450 and 450i APs offer link test options to one SM at a time. The 450m AP offers
the option of a link test to multiple VCs at the same time. This allows the user to test throughput in MU-
MIMO mode, in which multiple SMs are served at the same time.
This new link test can be found under Tools > Link Capacity Test