Testing Network Connectivity
The Network Connectivity test can be used to locate network issues
and bottlenecks. The tool sends test data to all Agents connected
to the Coordinator, which in turn send back the same data. Network
performance for each Agent is recorded, with the test repeated 4
times to rule out random results.
The Network Connectivity test can be started from the Agent
Settings dialog Network->General page,
from the Coordinator application menu or from the "Xoreax
IncrediBuild" entry in the Start menu.
Once the test completes, the test results are displayed:
The following columns are shown for each Agent tested:
- Agent name - The network name of the machine running the
Agent.
- Status - The Agent's current availability and its
network adapter speed.
- Performance - An assessment of the Agent's overall
network performance. The percentage indicates how much of the
network adapter potential was utilized in the test. The following
rating system is used:
| Rating |
Network Speed |
| Excellent
|
>=80 Mbps |
| Good
|
>=60 Mbps |
| Average
|
>=40 Mbps |
| Poor
|
<40 Mbps |
- Receive Performance - Speed recorded while the Agent
received data.
- Send Performance - Speed recorded while the Agent sent
data.
- Round-Trip Time - Average time taken for the whole test
round-trip (Send+receive). The results of all 4 tests are also
shown.
- IP Address - The machines' IP address and port.
- Remote Connection - Details for the network adapter used
for the test by the selected Agent.
- Local Connection - Details for the network adapter used
for the test by the local Agent.
Working with Network Connectivity test results
Once the test has completed, check for any Agents marked as "Poor"
in the performance column. If any such Agents appear, check their
machine's hardware for outdated network cards which may need
replacement. It can also help to examine these machines' network
configuration for any differences from machines rated "Good" or
"Excellent". Finally, disabling these Agents permanently may have a
positive effect on build performance. The disabled Agent will still
be able to run distributed builds, but will not be included in
builds initiated by other machines. To keep the "Disabled" state
between system reboots, use the Agent Settings dialog Agent->Preferences
page.
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reserved.