Free Network Performance Test Tool: Wget

In this video, Tony Fortunato shows you how to test bandwidth using Wget. He explains how to get started with the free software and demonstrates how it works.

Tony Fortunato

July 24, 2018

1 Min Read
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When it comes to network performance testing there is no shortage of tools and techniques. To make it a bit easier, I suggest you determine the goal and reason for your testing. For example if you want to test throughout and packet loss over a wireless network to illustrate radio signal, iPerf or iPerf3 are the way to go since those tools run in memory.

But if you want to measure the true performance of a web server, you would want to include the latency introduced by its storage system and load. In this case, you need to download a file from the server. Here is where a tool like GNU Wget comes in.

Wget is a free command-line tool used to retrieve files over HTTP, HTTPS, FTP and FTPS protocols. You can get the software here, and a manual is also available.

In this video, I show you how to get up and running with Wget and how the –limit-rate option works. I also explain how a simple batch file can be used to automate the testing.

About the Author

Tony Fortunato

Sr Network Performance Specialist

Tony Fortunato is a network performance expert who has been designing, implementing and troubleshooting networks since 1989. His company, The Technology Firm, provides clients of all sizes with services ranging from project management, network design, consulting, troubleshooting, designing custom-designed training courses, and assisting with equipment installation. Tony's experience in networking started with financial trading floor networks and ISPs, where he learned to integrate and support equipment from various vendors. Tony has taught and presented at numerous colleges and universities, public forums and private classes. He blogs frequently at NetworkDataPediaand has a popular YouTube channel.

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