Cisco IP Routing Protocols: Trouble Shooting Techniques (Charles River Media Networking/Security)

Traffic generators are network management functions that check for the correct functioning of network components and their associated links. The traffic generator function results in a continuous generation of data packets, which can be followed by an echo indicating that the data packet is sent or received. However, association of an echo message with data packets is optional. The source node generates the call for the traffic generator function. In addition, the traffic generator function monitors absorption of data packets transmitted by the source node until an acknowledgment is received from the destination node. The distribution period of the data packets is decided by the account number assigned by the traffic generator function to each data packet. In addition, the traffic generator sends a message that contains the name of the network component that is sending the data packets and the number of data packets received. The functions of the traffic generator are:

• Testing the inter-packet arrival gap. For this, Network Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDS) use traffic generators within high-speed networks.

• Generate multi-protocol traffic streams and raw packet rates. For this, Network Verification Services (NVS) use traffic generators.