Performing a Communications Stress Test with the PSA
Last Updated: 02/23/2004


The Pervasive System Analyzer allows you to perform a network stress test from your workstation to a server. This test can highlight a problem within your underlying network that can contribute to communications failures, performance problems, and even file corruption!

First, start the Pervasive System Analyzer. This screen may look slightly different depending on which version of the database client you have on your workstation.

Select the radio option by "Test Active Installation". Make sure that only the checkbox by Test Network Communications is selected. Click Next.

Enter the name of the server in the dialog box. Click on the Advanced button.

Select the tests to run over TCP/IP only (uncheck all other protocols). Set up the test to run with a lot of packets -- 300 to 500 is a good number to start with. Click OK.

Click Next to run the test. Watch the display carefully until you see it start to count.

If the counting is rapid and smooth, with no pauses at all, then you have a good network connection. On a fast network, you should not be able to see the "ones" column counting. If you see any periodic pauses (a pause being defined as any delay over 1/4 second), or if you see it count fast, then slow, then fast, etc., then you may be seeing a low-level network problem. Work with your networking staff to resolve the problem, until you get smooth counting on this test. You can also get an idea of relative performance by running the test on two computers and comparing the results

Of course, if you still can't get it to work, contact Goldstar Software and let us work with you to help!