END USER HANDBOOK BT PERFORMANCE TESTER BT Performance Tester End User Handbook AUTHOR: BT WHOLESALE DATE: 28/11/2006 Page 1 of 26
CONTENTS Page 1 INTRODUCTION 3 2 OVERVIEW 4 2.1 Types of faults or problems that the BT Performance Tester can help you with 4 3 BEFORE YOU USE THE PERFORMANCE TESTER 5 4 USING THE BT PERFORMANCE TESTER 6 4.1 Accessing the BT Performance Tester 7 4.2 Enter Telephone Number and Perform Testing 8 4.3 End User domain validation 9 4.4 Performance Test in progress 10 4.5 Test results 12 5 PERFORMANCE TESTER ERRORS 22 5.1 Incorrect telephone number 22 5.2 Validation Errors 23 5.3 System busy errors 24 6 TEST RESULT INTERPRETATION 26 BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS PLC 2004 REGISTERED OFFICE: 81 NEWGATE STREET, LONDON EC1A 7AJ Page 2 of 26
1 INTRODUCTION This Broadband End User (EU) handbook to the BT Performance Tester (PT) is intended to provide an overview of what the BT Performance Tester is and how it can help you to determine whether there is a performance fault with your Broadband service. This handbook provides step-by-step instructions on the process of how to run a performance test on your Broadband service. It also explains the rationale behind the results and what action you need to take after the performance test is completed. Some parts of the performance testing process require knowledge about your modem and PC configuration, but because this is specific to each customer and different in each case, this handbook does not provide those details. If you are unfamiliar with what is being requested in these parts, you should, in the first instance, seek assistance from your Broadband Service Provider (SP). End Users using Virtual Private Networking (VPN) will not be able to use BT Performance Tester for throughput testing due to the Address Proxy function, which is almost always present in a corporate intranet environment. There are many factors that can influence poor performance in a corporate intranet environment therefore initiating a Performance Test may return inaccurate results. End Users who deploy wireless networks working to IEEE 802.11b, 11 Mbps connectivity may also have inaccurate results if their broadband line works at the upper end of the DSL Max product linerate range. IEEE 802.11b is unlikely to achieve more than 5.9 Mbps throughput in a stable environment and can be less in a typical End User environment. Note: References to Assured Rate Traffic in this handbook are applicable to BT IPstream Advanced Services customers only. All screen shots shown in this document are under review and may change in subsequent issues of this handbook. Page 3 of 26
2 OVERVIEW The BT Performance Tester will enable you to test the performance of your broadband service and can assist your Service Provider in determining if you have a problem with your service. Because there are many factors that could influence broadband performance the BT Performance Tester can be used to establish whether its performance is consistent. To do this you may need to carry out a number of tests - preferably at different times of the day as there will be times when performance is affected by Peak Periods. The results of each test will be recorded so that they can be used to assist with any resulting fault investigation. If you wish to discuss the results of a test you will need to call your Service Provider. 2.1 Types of faults or problems that the BT Performance Tester can help you with The BT Performance Tester has been designed to help you with performance related problems. This is where your service is working but appears to be doing so very slowly e.g. your downloads are taking far too long, your internet service keeps stopping or your gaming is too slow etc. Sometimes performance related issues are not caused by your broadband service, but as a result of recent changes to your service or any existing constraints. Below is a short list of checks to make: Make sure your Modem or Router has the latest Drivers/Firmware loaded. You may need to check with your Service Provider. Make sure that all active telephone sockets have a DSL filter connected. This includes telephones, facsimile machines, dial modems, TV set top boxes etc. Check if you connected via a VPN/Corporate network as this may stop/affect your results. If you consider that your service is running slowly then you should try the following: Connect your modem/router to your Master Telephone Socket, preferably taking off the faceplate and connecting directly to the back plate (this removes all internal wiring) Check that you are not running the test over a wireless network that connects at 11 Mbps as this is unlikely to manage any more than 5 Mbps throughput Does performance vary at different times of the day? Try the test at different times of the day to get a range of results. Ensure that there is no additional IP traffic being generated from PCs or Users connected to your Broadband line. You will need to speak to your Service Provider for any further assistance. Page 4 of 26
3 BEFORE YOU USE THE PERFORMANCE TESTER Before you can use the BT Performance Tester your broadband modem or router must be in sync. This means that the indicator light on your modem or router (this is the box that connects to your telephone line) is lit steadily (i.e. not blinking) and that you are able to access your broadband service i.e. you can browse to websites. If either of the two above conditions is not met, then there may be another problem with your service which should be reported to your Service Provider. Page 5 of 26
4 USING THE BT PERFORMANCE TESTER Using the BT Performance Tester to test your broadband service is a fairly simple process and should take no longer than 2-3 minutes. Please note the following important points: You must not point your Internet Browser away from the test screen or start any other download activity on your computer whilst the tests are in progress, as this will invalidate your test results. If during any stage of the test process you are presented with a screen that does not correspond with the test process (described in the following subsections), please refer to section 5 Performance Tester Errors for further details. The following sub-sections guide you through the Performance Tester testing process. Page 6 of 26
4.1 Accessing the BT Performance Tester Using the web browser of your choice, please visit the website www.speedtester.bt.com. You will be presented with the screen shown below. Page 7 of 26
4.2 Enter Telephone Number and Perform Testing Please enter your telephone number in full (including area code) and click Go. The following screen will be presented to you - Page 8 of 26
4.3 End User domain validation If you are presented with the following screen, please enter your login User Name and Domain as requested e.g. joe.blogs@mynetwork.com and press Go. Note: This screen may not appear for your service; in that case you will be automatically directed to the next step. Page 9 of 26
4.4 Performance Test in progress This screen indicates that the performance test is in progress and will look different depending on the service you have. One of the following screens will be presented to you Screen displayed for BT IPstream fixed services including SDSL services Page 10 of 26
Screen displayed for BT IPstream Best Effort services Note: In the above diagram it shows that a BT IPstream Best Effort service test in progress, a pair of bars at the top of the screen indicates the type of service being tested and progress Screen displayed for BT IPstream Assured Rate services Page 11 of 26
4.5 Test results Test results will be presented on successful test completion. Screen displayed for BT IPstream fixed services including SDSL results Page 12 of 26
Screen displayed for BT IPstream Best Effort services Explanation of results DSL Upstream connection rate is 500 Kbps. This is the upstream DSL line rate, and is the same rate that will be shown on the EU CPE or its associated software. DSL Downstream connection rate is 1000 Kbps. This is the End User downstream DSL line rate, and is the same rate as shown on the EU CPE. This is the maximum raw data that can be transported across your line. Your actual throughput will always be less than this rate and this is due to overheads taken up by the higher layer protocols, retransmissions etc. and this is normal. The EU IP profile rate is 500 Kbps This is the IP rate set on the BT Wholesale BRAS that the End User is connected to. The EU IP profile rate will be less than the DSL downstream connection rate due to the overheads of the IP service and this is normal. The Actual EU IP throughput is 459 Kbps. This is the actual rate achieved during the Performance Test. This rate will never reach the IP profile rate and this again is normal. Page 13 of 26
NB: You can place your mouse cursor over the help question marks indicated in the above screen shot for explanations. An example screen is shown below - Page 14 of 26
If you have subscribed to BT IPstream Max as well as Assured rate service, the Performance Tester will test both sessions i.e. QoS and Best Effort. If a QoS session is active at the time of testing then PT will use the already configured QoS session and Best Effort session for testing. However, if the QoS session is not active at the time of testing then the PT will first test the Best Effort session and then create QoS session for testing. After test completion, the original configuration will be restored. The results page will show both, the QoS test results and the Best Effort test results. NOTE: If a QoS session is already configured prior to testing then the Best Effort session bandwidth will be only the remainder of connection capacity less the QoS session bandwidth. Screen displayed for BT IPstream Assured Rate services Page 15 of 26
Screen displayed for BT IPstream Best Effort services. Test1 is completed however you need to take next test i.e. Test2. Screen displayed for BT IPstream Assured Rate services. Test1 is completed however you need to take next test i.e. Test2. If further performance tests are required to be conducted for your service, you need to click Go button as shown in above screen shots. The Performance Tester will automatically direct you to the next test i.e. Test2 where the following screen will be presented to you Page 16 of 26
Screen displayed if additional tests are required. Note: If Test2 is not needed for your network type, you will be automatically directed to the Test3. In such a case, please follow Test3 instructions given in this handbook. You need to logout and re-login using the login ID as explained in the above screen shot. If you are not sure how to do this, please contact your ISP for assistance. After re-login, please press Go. While Performance Tester is conducting further tests on your broadband service one of the three screens (depending on type of broadband service you are testing) as shown in section 4.4 will be presented to you. Page 17 of 26
The following test results will be presented on successful test completion: Screen displayed for BT IPstream Best Effort services test completed. Screen displayed for BT IPstream Assured Rate services test completed. Page 18 of 26
Screen displayed for BT IPstream Best Effort services Test2 is completed however you need to take third and final test i.e. Test3. Screen displayed for BT IPstream Assured Rate services Test2 is completed however you need to take third and final test i.e. Test3. Page 19 of 26
If further performance tests are required to be conducted for your service, the Performance Tester will automatically direct you to the next test i.e. Test3. The following screen will be presented to you After re-login, please press Go. While the Performance Tester is conducting further tests on your broadband service one of the three screens (depending on type of broadband service you are testing) as shown in section 4.4 will be presented to you. Page 20 of 26
The following test results screens will be presented on successful test completion. Screen displayed for BT IPstream Best Effort services test completed. Screen displayed for BT IPstream Assured Rate services test completed. Page 21 of 26
5 PERFORMANCE TESTER ERRORS 5.1 Incorrect telephone number If you have not entered your telephone number in the correct format, the BT Performance Tester will display the following error to you. To clear this message you need to click the OK button on the error screen (shown below). The BT Performance Tester will redirect you to the screen where you need to re-enter your telephone number in the correct format e.g. 01234123456. If you have entered your telephone number incorrectly the BT Performance Tester will display following error message to you. To clear this message you need to click the OK button on the error screen (shown below). The BT Performance Tester will redirect you to the screen where you need to re-enter your correct telephone number. If you have not entered an area code for your telephone number, the BT Performance Tester displays following error message. To clear this message you need to click the OK button on the error screen (shown below). The BT Performance Tester will redirect you to the screen where you need to re-enter your correct telephone number, including the area code. Page 22 of 26
5.2 Validation Errors If you enter inappropriate or incorrect login details the BT Performance Tester will display the following error messages to you. Please check your login details and try again to continue performance testing. Page 23 of 26
If the BT Performance Tester is not able to identify your broadband service from the telephone number you entered the following error screens will be displayed. You should recheck the telephone number, STD code, format etc. and retry. If the same error or any other error is displayed, please contact your Service Provider and/or take appropriate action as per the text displayed in the error screen. 5.3 System busy errors You may occasionally experience times when the BT Performance Tester is busy. If this happens, please retry again after about 5 minutes. If the same error, or any other errors mentioned in this section, are repeated after 3 successive retries of about 5 minute intervals, please contact your Service Provider for further assistance. Page 24 of 26
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6 TEST RESULT INTERPRETATION As the tests carried out by the BT Performance Tester covers the BT Wholesale network, your Service Provider s network and the Internet, the results can be influenced by a number of factors. These include: Time of Day BT Wholesale network utilisation Service Provider network utilisation The use of a VPN or corporate network End User wiring End User equipment Use of wireless networking using IEEE 802.11b (up to 11 Mbps) Local Environment issues (such as Random Electrical Impulse Noise - R.E.I.N) Traffic being generated at the time the test was carried out. We strongly recommend that all results are discussed with your Service Provider. Page 26 of 26