NST Network Interface Bandwidth Monitor 2

Overview

The NST Network Interface Bandwidth Monitor 2 is a second generation interactive dynamic SVG/AJAX enabled application integrated into the NST WUI for monitoring Network Bandwidth usage on each configured network interface in pseudo real-time.

A use case for the Bandwidth Monitor can be found in the Wiki article: "LAN Ethernet Maximum RAtes, Generation, Capturing & Monitoring".

NST 2.18.0
SVN: 5413

See page: NST Network Interface Bandwidth Monitor for additional information until this page is completed.

       

***Note: Page Under Construction***

       

The following Bandwidth Monitor displays network traffic to and from the NST Wiki site. A TP-CU3 Tap is inserted between the NST probe and the NST Wiki site providing full-duplex traffic access. A Custom Monitor was created to display interface traffic on the Tap's two (2) monitoring ports: p3p2 - RxD and p3p1 - TxD. The Ruler Measurement Tool is also enabled and focused on a typical HTTP web page transaction sequence.

Network Interface Bandwidth Monitor 2 - Custom Monitor: CM1 - Interface p3p2 RxD, p3p1 TxD

 

NST Bandwidth Monitor 2 - Reference Diagram

Use this section as a reference for location and description of all controls available with the NST Network Interface Bandwidth 2 Monitors. The image below can serve as a general reference diagram for a single Bandwidth Monitor. Many of the Bandwidth Monitor features have been identified and marked on the image. A Threshold Pause feature that allows "Pausing" of one or more Bandwidth Monitoring graphs when a configured Threshold Armed Rate value is Reached or Exceeded (i.e., Triggered) is also shown. Custom executables can also be run each time a Threshold Pause state change occurs. As an example, one could initiate a network packet capture when a sustained bandwidth data rate exceeds a certain level.

The reference diagram below depicts a Threshold Pause session that was configured on the "p1p1 Bandwidth Monitoring" graph with an Armed Rx bandwidth data rate of: "54.3 Mbps". This bandwidth rate was maintained for the Armed duration of "2000 msecs" as a condition for the Threshold Trigger to occur. A Threshold Trigger event did occur on 2013-11-19 08:35:15.761 at an Rx data rate value of: "82.81 Mbps". A Post Trigger Delay of "3 seconds" was in effect. No additional bandwidth monitoring graphs were set to be Paused. A query rate of "200 msec" was also configured for bandwidth monitor graph updates.

All notification executables located in directory: "/etc/nst/notifications/bwmon" were run at each Threshold Pause state change and marked with ID: "YPJ-9635".

The traffic generated for this example was from a YUM update. A Dualcomm ETAP-3105 TAP was used on the external side of a firewall and presented the network traffic to interface: "p1p1".

Network Interface Bandwidth Monitor 2 - Reference Diagram

 

NST Bandwidth Monitor 2 - Monitor Controls

The reference diagram below provides a brief description of each Graph Monitor Control buttons associated with an NST Network Interface Bandwidth Monitor 2 Graph. NST WUI tool tips are also available for each button and notification area providing a more descriptive usage or explanation dialog.

Network Interface Bandwidth Monitor 2 - Monitor Controls

 

NST Bandwidth Monitor Peak Trough Detection & Ruler Tool Resize & Movement Controls

The reference diagram below provides a brief description of the Peak / Trough Detection & the Ruler Measurement Tool Resize & Movement Control buttons available with each NST Network Interface Bandwidth Monitor 2 Graph. NST WUI tool tips are also available for each button or action providing a more descriptive usage dialog.

The Ruler Tool is handy for time and bandwidth rate analysis. One can navigate the tool by moving the mouse cursor in between the left and right ruler guides and then dragging it accordingly with your mouse device. The left and right ruler guides serve as the start and stop position for the displayed time and bandwidth rate analysis results. When the Ruler Tool is shown, one can also position the tool to the current cursor position by clicking on the graph.

The Peak / Trough Detection tool is useful for positioning the Left and Right Ruler Tool Guides exactly at a bandwidth data rate peak or trough value for ruler tool measurements.

Network Interface Bandwidth Monitor 2 - Ruler Measurement Tool & Peak Trough Detection