You are here: Home » Internet Performance » DesktopProfile » Support » How To... Guide




The DesktopProfile "How To" is a step by step guide on accomplishing many of the common tasks in the setup and use of the DesktopProfile runtime evironment.

Choose a "How To" from the list below. Please let us know if the "How To..." you are seeking is not here. 

How To...

How to Configure Data Collection Index

The DesktopProfile Collection Module "How To" is a step by step guide to configuring the plugin collection modules that are packaged with DesktopProfile.  Choose a collection module below or scroll down the text.

Ping
HTTP(S)
PortScan
DestktopHttp(s)
DesktopPing
DesktopPort
DesktopSMTP
DesktopPop3
DesktopFTP
DesktopDNS
DesktopNNTP


How to configure Ping

Ping is the most fundamental of network tests to monitor and measure IP device availability. Ping sends a packet through the network to an IP device such as a users workstation and back. This process measures that the device can be reached and that all the routes through the various ISPs are open and working as well as the time it takes to travel to the device and back. The PING collection module requires a number of parameters which are described below.

  1. Click the "Tests" button found on the 'Setup' floating toolbar menu to bring up the Configure Tests dialog. This dialog shows a table of tests already configured. To protect the security of the DesktopProfile engine, the first time this is performed, DesktopProfile will request a password. The default password for a new install is 'hello'. See 'How to change the server options' to change the password.




  2. Click the "New" button to bring up the Edit Test dialog. It is this dialog that allows you to select  what (you run), where (you run it) and when (it is run). In this example the 'what' is the PING Collection Module.


  3. Click on the description field and give the test a meaningful name such as "Network Device Availability". 
  4. Select 'ping' from the plugin drop down list box. This will immediately change the plugin parameter fields to be those fields that are required to monitor and measure IP device availability. These are as follows:

    Field Value
    Packet Size Enter the number of bytes you would like the packet size to be. The default value is 105. The user can set any value from 4 bytes to several thousand bytes. The way routers treat packets will vary depending on the packet size. Generally the larger the packet the more importance it has in terms of priority.
    Number of Packets Enter the number of packets you want sent. By sending more than one the max, min and average values get calculated. Default value is 4.
    Ping Timeout Enter the the connection timeout in milliseconds. Default is 5000 (5 seconds).
    Hosts Select the group folder that contains the devices you wish to measure.
    Interval Enter the collection interval.

  5. Highlight the group folder (the where) that contains all the Hosts and devices that you wish this Test to be run against (see the example above where 'Routers' is selected) 
  6. Select the time interval (the when) in seconds, minutes or hours that you wish the test to be run on.
  7. Click "OK" to close the Edit Test dialog. 
  8. Click "OK" to close the Configure Tests dialog and schedule your test.

How to configure HTTP(s)

Collecting performance data for a Web Page is accomplished by scheduling a test for HTTP or HTTPs. This test is both a performance test and a service availability test. On the one hand the test indicates that the Web Server is functioning because it is able to retrieve a specific Web Page (for example the home page) and on the other hand it is able to measure service by timing the request. The HTTP(s) collection module requires a number of parameters which are described below.

  1. Click the "Tests" button found on the 'Setup' floating toolbar menu to bring up the Configure Tests dialog. This dialog shows a table of tests already configured. To protect the security of the VisualProfile engine, the first time this is performed, VisualProfile will request a password. The default password for a new install is 'hello'. See 'How to change the server options' to change the password.


  2. Click the "New" button to bring up the Edit Test dialog. It is this dialog that allows you to select  what (you run), where (you run it) and when (it is run). In this example the 'what' is the HTTP(s) Collection Module.


  3. Click on the description field and give the test a meaningful name such as "Web Page Service". 
  4. Select 'HTTP' from the plugin drop down list box. This will immediately change the plugin parameter fields to be those fields that are required in order to measure the performance and availability of a Web page URL . These are as follows:

    Field Value
    Page This field allows you to specify the Web page URL that you wish to measure. For the home page you just need to specify the default / (forward slash). If you want to retrieve a web page and also specify a parameter string then this field contains the entire text as you would specify in the browser URL. For example /logon.html?user=myusercode.
    Web Port Enter the port number for access to the Web service. This is normally port 80.
    Samples Enter the number of samples you would like to do. This parameter specifies how many times to execute the request. For example 10 would retrieve a webpage 10 times. Setting this number high allows the Web Server to be stress tested under controlled conditions.
    Timeout Enter the the connection timeout in seconds. Default 60 seconds.
    Images Check this option if you want the test to measure the multimedia entities separately. For example, JPG, GIF and applets.
    Get Check this option if you want the specified Web URL to be read. (See 'post')
    Query The Query field is used for Web page posts only and contains the string required by the receiving URL. Note also that if you require to read a web page prior to the post then you can select both the GET and the POST options.
    Post Check this option if you want to post to a Web page URL. Normally this would be valid if you have specified a Query string but that is not always the case and a Post to a Web page without any input data can also be valid.
    Proxy If you use a proxy server then enter the proxy server name in this field.
    Proxy Port Enter the proxy service port number here. This is normally the 8080 default. If you are unsure of the proxy port number check it with your system/network administrator.
    Connection Type There are two options available and both achieve the same results. 'Java Http' which uses the Java library to make the URL request and ''Tcp' which uses a raw socket to make the request. The default setting is Java.
    Hosts group Select the group folder that contains the server you wish to measure.
    Interval Enter the collection interval.

     
  5. Highlight the group folder (the where) that contains all the Hosts and devices that you wish this Test to be run against (see the example in 2 above 'Servers') 
  6. Select the time interval (the when) in seconds, minutes or hours that you wish the test to be run on.
  7. Click "OK" to close the Edit Test dialog. 
  8. Click "OK" to close the Configure Tests dialog and schedule your test.
     

How to configure PortScan

Validating the availability of network applications services is an important part of ensuring Application Services are operating correctly. The PortScan collection module measures the connection time and availability of any application port on the network.

  1. Click the "Tests" button found on the 'Setup' floating toolbar menu to bring up the Configure Tests dialog. This dialog shows a table of tests already configured. To protect the security of the VisualProfile engine, the first time this is performed, VisualProfile will request a password. The default password for a new install is 'hello'. See 'How to change the server options' to change the password.




  2. Click the "New" button to bring up the Edit Test dialog. It is this dialog that allows you to select  what (you run), where (you run it) and when (it is run). In this example the 'what' is the PortScan Collection Module.


     
  3. Click on the description field and give the test a meaningful name such as "Port Service Validation". 
  4. Select 'PortScan' from the plugin drop down list box. This will immediately change the collection module parameter fields to be those fields that are required to monitor and measure Network Application Ports. These are as follows:

    Field Value
    Ports Enter the port numbers to be monitored and measured by the PortScan collection module.

    To add a Port Number in the field below the Ports description field and click the 'Add' button.

    To remove a Port Number highlight the Port Number in the list and click the 'Remove' button.

    To change a Port Number type the new number in the field below the list box, then highlight the Port Number to be changed and click the 'Change' button.

    The 'New' button clears the entry edit field
    Hosts group Select the group folder that contains the server you wish to collect data from
    Interval Enter the collection interval.

     

  5. Highlight the group folder (the Where) that contains all the Hosts and devices that you wish this Test to be run against (see the example in 2 above 'Servers') 
  6. Select the time interval (the When) in seconds, minutes or hours that you wish the test to be run on.
  7. Click "OK" to close the Edit Test dialog. 
  8. Click "OK" to close the Configure Tests dialog and schedule your test.


How to configure DesktopHttp(s)

Collecting HTTP(s) performance data from a users desktop is accomplished by scheduling the DesktopHttp collection module. This module measures HTTP(s) performance by initiating transactions from a remote users workstation. This as configured as follows:

  1. Click the "Tests" button found on the 'Setup' floating toolbar menu to bring up the Configure Tests dialog. This dialog shows a table of tests already configured. To protect the security of the DesktopProfile engine the first time this is done DesktopProfile will request password. The default password for a new install is 'hello'. See 'How to change the server options' to change the password.




     
  2. Click the "New" button to bring up the Edit Test dialog. It is this dialog that allows you to select  What (you run), Where (you run it) and When (it is run). In this example the 'what' is the DesktopHttp Collection Module.


     
  3. Click on the description field and give the test a meaningful name such as "London SLA Service". 
  4. Select 'DesktopHttp' from the plugin drop down list box. This will immediately change the plugin parameter fields to be those fields that are required to initiate HTTP measures from a user desktop workstation. These are as follows:
     
    Field Value
    DesktopProfile Port Enter the listening port number for access to the DesktopProfile service. If you do not know this you should consult your network/system administrator.
    Timeout Enter the required timeout in seconds. Default value is 60 seconds (1 minute).
    URL Enter the Web Page URL to be measured.
    (Note: http:// is optional).
    Hosts Select the group folder that contains the Desktop IP devices you wish to initiate data collection from
    Interval Enter the collection interval.

     

  5. Highlight the group folder (the where) that contains all the Hosts and devices that you wish this Test to be run against (see the example above where 'London' is selected) 
  6. Select the time interval (the when) in seconds, minutes or hours that you wish the test to be run on.
  7. Click "OK" to close the Edit Test dialog. 
  8. Click "OK" to close the Configure Tests dialog and schedule your test.

How to configure DesktopPing

Collecting Latency and Packet Loss data from a users desktop is accomplished by scheduling the DesktopPing collection module. This module measures packet loss and end-to-end latency between to locations by initiating ping transactions from a remote users workstation. This as configured as follows:

  1. Click the "Tests" button found on the 'Setup' floating toolbar menu to bring up the Configure Tests dialog. This dialog shows a table of tests already configured. To protect the security of the DesktopProfile engine the first time this is done DesktopProfile will request password. The default password for a new install is 'hello'. See 'How to change the server options' to change the password.




     
  2. Click the "New" button to bring up the Edit Test dialog. It is this dialog that allows you to select  what (you run), where (you run it) and when (it is run). In this example the 'what' is the DesktopPing Collection Module.


     
  3. Click on the description field and give the test a meaningful name such as "Atlanta SLA Service". 
  4. Select 'DesktopPing' from the plugin drop down list box. This will immediately change the plugin parameter fields to be those fields that are required to initiate Ping measures from a user desktop workstation. These are as follows:
     
    Field Value
    DesktopProfile Port Enter the listening port number for access to the DesktopProfile service. If you do not know this you should consult your network/system administrator.
    Timeout Enter the required timeout in seconds. Default value is 60 seconds (1 minute).
    Destination Enter the IP address or domain name for the remote destination.
    Packet Size Enter the number of bytes you would like the packet size to be. The default value is 105. The user can set any value from 4 bytes to several thousand bytes. The way routers treat packets will vary depending on the packet size. generally the larger the packet the more importance it has in terms of priority.
    TTL Enter the time-to-live number. This indicates the maximum number of hops allowed for this test. If the packets travel through more hops than indicated by the TTL then the destination is unreachable. The default is 255.
    Number of Packets Enter the number of packets you want sent. By sending more than one the max, min and average values get calculated. Default value is 4.
    Hosts Select the group folder that contains the Desktop IP devices you wish to initiate data collection from.
    Interval Enter the collection interval.

     

  5. Highlight the group folder (the where) that contains all the Hosts and devices that you wish this Test to be run against (see example above, 'Atlanta' from 'Desktops' group) 
  6. Select the time interval (the when) in seconds, minutes or hours that you wish the test to be run on.
  7. Click "OK" to close the Edit Test dialog. 
  8. Click "OK" to close the Configure Tests dialog and schedule your test.

How to configure DesktopPort

Checking the availability of TCP application ports requires collecting TCP Port access data from a users desktop. This is accomplished by scheduling the DesktopPort collection module. This module measures connection time to the port by initiating port connect transactions from a remote user's workstation. This as configured as follows:

  1. Click the "Tests" button found on the 'Setup' floating toolbar menu to bring up the Configure Tests dialog. This dialog shows a table of tests already configured. To protect the security of the DesktopProfile engine the first time this is done DesktopProfile will request password. The default password for a new install is 'hello'. See 'How to change the server options' to change the password.




     
  2. Click the "New" button to bring up the Edit Test dialog. It is this dialog that allows you to select  what (you run), where (you run it) and when (it is run). In this example the 'what' is the DesktopPort Collection Module.


     
  3. Click on the description field and give the test a meaningful name such as "New York SLA Service". 
  4. Select 'DesktopPort' from the plugin drop down list box. This will immediately change the plugin parameter fields to be those fields that are required to initiate Port measures from a user desktop workstation. These are as follows:
     
    Field Value
    DesktopProfile Port Enter the listening port number for access to the DesktopProfile service. If you do not know this you should consult your network/system administrator.
    Timeout Enter the required timeout in seconds. Default value is 60 seconds (1 minute).
    Destination Enter the IP address or domain name for the remote destination server.
    Destination
    Port    		 Enter the remote server destination TCP port number for the connection.
    Hosts Select the group folder that contains the Desktop IP devices you wish to initiate data collection from.
    Interval Enter the collection interval.

     

  5. Highlight the group folder (the where) that contains all the Hosts and devices that you wish this Test to be run against (see example above, 'New York' from 'Desktops' group) 
  6. Select the time interval (the when) in seconds, minutes or hours that you wish the test to be run on.
  7. Click "OK" to close the Edit Test dialog. 
  8. Click "OK" to close the Configure Tests dialog and schedule your test.

How to configure DesktopSMTP

Email is a major corporate application and it is essential to measure and monitor the mail services to ensure that not only the mail servers are running but the mail services are functioning too. Collecting SMTP performance data from a users desktop is accomplished by scheduling the DesktopSmtp collection module.

  1. Click the "Tests" button found on the 'Setup' floating toolbar menu to bring up the Configure Tests dialog. This dialog shows a table of tests already configured. To protect the security of the DesktopProfile engine the first time this is done DesktopProfile will request password. The default password for a new install is 'hello'. See 'How to change the server options' to change the password.




     
  2. Click the "New" button to bring up the Edit Test dialog. It is this dialog that allows you to select  what (you run), where (you run it) and when (it is run). In this example the 'what' is the DesktopSmtp Collection Module.


     
  3. Click on the description field and give the test a meaningful name such as "Mail Services Validation". 
  4. Select 'DesktopSmtp' from the plugin drop down list box. This will immediately change the plugin parameter fields to be those fields that are required to measure the SMTP services. These are as follows:
     
    Field Value
    DesktopProfile Port Enter the listening port number for access to the DesktopProfile service. If you do not know this you should consult your network/system administrator.
    Timeout Enter the required timeout in seconds. Default value is 60 seconds (1 minute).
    Smtp Server Enter the SMTP Server name
    Usercode Enter the logon User Name for the sending email account.
    Password Enter the logon Password for the sending email account.
    From Enter the email address for the test email message to be sent from.
    To Enter the email address for the test email message to be sent.
    Lines Enter the number of character lines you want generated in the test email message. Default is 1 line. Max value is 99 lines.
    Hosts Select the group folder that contains the Mail Servers you wish to collect data from.
    Interval Enter the collection interval.

     

  5. Highlight the group folder (the where) that contains all the Hosts and devices that you wish this Test to be run against (see example above, 'New York' from 'Desktops' group) 
  6. Select the time interval (the when) in seconds, minutes or hours that you wish the test to be run on.
  7. Click "OK" to close the Edit Test dialog. 
  8. Click "OK" to close the Configure Tests dialog and schedule your test.

How to configure DesktopPOP3

The POP3 Collection Module works in conjunction with the SMTP module. The SMTP deposits Mail and the POP3 retrieves the mail. The POP3 collection module is used to validate the reading of email messages. Collecting POP3 performance data from a users desktop is accomplished by scheduling the DesktopPop3 collection module.

  1. Click the "Tests" button found on the 'Setup' floating toolbar menu to bring up the Configure Tests dialog. This dialog shows a table of tests already configured. To protect the security of the DesktopProfile engine the first time this is done DesktopProfile will request password. The default password for a new install is 'hello'. See 'How to change the server options' to change the password.




     
  2. Click the "New" button to bring up the Edit Test dialog. It is this dialog that allows you to select  what (you run), where (you run it) and when (it is run). In this example the 'what' is the DesktopPop3 Collection Module.


     
  3. Click on the description field and give the test a meaningful name such as "Mail Services Validation". 
  4. Select 'DesktopPop3' from the plugin drop down list box. This will immediately change the plugin parameter fields to be those fields that are required to measure the POP3 services. These are as follows:
     
    Field Value
    DesktopProfile Port Enter the listening port number for access to the DesktopProfile service. If you do not know this you should consult your network/system administrator.
    Timeout Enter the required timeout in seconds. Default value is 60 seconds (1 minute).
    Pop3 Server Enter the POP3 Server name.
    Usercode Enter the logon User Name for the retrieving email account.
    Password Enter the logon Password for the retrieving email account.
    Hosts Select the group folder that contains the Mail Servers you wish to collect data from.
    Interval Enter the collection interval.

     

  5. Highlight the group folder (the where) that contains all the Hosts and devices that you wish this Test to be run against (see example above, 'New York' from 'Desktops' group) 
  6. Select the time interval (the when) in seconds, minutes or hours that you wish the test to be run on.
  7. Click "OK" to close the Edit Test dialog. 
  8. Click "OK" to close the Configure Tests dialog and schedule your test.

How to configure DesktopFTP

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is the most fundamental of network tests to measure the moving of large data volumes normally associated with the transferring of data files between two servers. Collecting FTP performance data from a users desktop is accomplished by scheduling the DesktopFtp collection module.

  1. Click the "Tests" button found on the 'Setup' floating toolbar menu to bring up the Configure Tests dialog. This dialog shows a table of tests already configured. To protect the security of the DesktopProfile engine, the first time this is performed, DesktopProfile will request a password. The default password for a new install is 'hello'. See 'How to change the server options' to change the password.



  2. Click the "New" button to bring up the Edit Test dialog. It is this dialog that allows you to select  what (you run), where (you run it) and when (it is run). In this example the 'what' is the DesktopFtp Collection Module.


     
  3. Click on the description field and give the test a meaningful name such as "New York FTP Service". 
  4. Select 'DesktopFtp' from the plugin drop down list box. This will immediately change the plugin parameter fields to be those fields that are required to monitor and measure the FTP service. These are as follows:

    Field Value
    DesktopProfile Port Enter the listening port number for access to the DesktopProfile service. If you do not know this you should consult your network/system administrator.
    Timeout Enter the required timeout in seconds. Default value is 60 seconds (1 minute).
    Ftp Server Enter the FTP Server name.
    Action Select the correct action (get/put) from the drop down.
    Usercode Enter a valid user name for access to the FTP server.
    Password Enter the password that is valid for the defined User Name.
    Connect Mode Select the correct connect mode from the drop down.
    Account Enter the Account name that is valid for the defined User Name. This is normally not needed.
    Dtp Directory Enter the local directory location.
    File Enter the file name for the file to be transferred.
    Ftp Directory Enter the ftp directory location.
    Hosts Select the group folder that contains the servers you wish to collect data from.
    Interval Enter the collection interval.

     

  5. Highlight the group folder (the where) that contains all the Hosts and devices that you wish this Test to be run against (see example above, 'New York' from 'Desktops' group) 
  6. Select the time interval (the when) in seconds, minutes or hours that you wish the test to be run on.
  7. Click "OK" to close the Edit Test dialog. 
  8. Click "OK" to close the Configure Tests dialog and schedule your test.

How to configure DesktopDNS

DNS (Domain Name Service) is the most fundamental of network tests to measure the delay in doing 'name-to-ip' or 'ip-to-name' lookups. Collecting DNS performance data from a users desktop is accomplished by scheduling the DesktopDns collection module.

  1. Click the "Tests" button found on the 'Setup' floating toolbar menu to bring up the Configure Tests dialog. This dialog shows a table of tests already configured. To protect the security of the DesktopProfile engine, the first time this is performed, DesktopProfile will request a password. The default password for a new install is 'hello'. See 'How to change the server options' to change the password.


  2. Click the "New" button to bring up the Edit Test dialog. It is this dialog that allows you to select  what (you run), where (you run it) and when (it is run). In this example the 'what' is the DesktopDns Collection Module.


     
  3. Click on the description field and give the test a meaningful name such as "New York DNS Service". 
  4. Select 'DesktopDns' from the plugin drop down list box. This will immediately change the collection module parameter fields to be those fields that are required to monitor and measure the DNS service. These are as follows:

    Field Value
    DesktopProfile Port Enter the listening port number for access to the DesktopProfile service. If you do not know this you should consult your network/system administrator.
    Timeout Enter the required timeout in seconds. Default value is 60 seconds (1 minute).
    Hostname/IP-address Enter a valid DNS domain name or IP address that you require to be looked up. For example http://www.visualware.com/ or 192.168.101.239.
    IP of dns server Enter the IP address of the DNS server to be tested.
    IP of 2nd dns server Enter the IP address of the second DNS server to be tested (optional).
    Hosts Select the group folder that contains the DNS servers you wish to collect data from.
    Interval Enter the collection interval.

     

  5. Highlight the group folder (the where) that contains all the Hosts and devices that you wish this Test to be run against (see example above, 'New York' from 'Desktops' group) 
  6. Select the time interval (the when) in seconds, minutes or hours that you wish the test to be run on.
  7. Click "OK" to close the Edit Test dialog. 
  8. Click "OK" to close the Configure Tests dialog and schedule your test.

How to configure DesktopNNTP

NNTP (Network News Transfer Protocol) is the most fundamental of network tests to measure USENET message services. Collecting NNTP performance data from a users desktop is accomplished by scheduling the DesktopNntp collection module.

  1. Click the "Tests" button found on the 'Setup' floating toolbar menu to bring up the Configure Tests dialog. This dialog shows a table of tests already configured. To protect the security of the DesktopProfile engine, the first time this is performed, DesktopProfile will request a password. The default password for a new install is 'hello'. See 'How to change the server options' to change the password.


  2. Click the "New" button to bring up the Edit Test dialog. It is this dialog that allows you to select  what (you run), where (you run it) and when (it is run). In this example the 'what' is the DesktopNntp Collection Module.


     
  3. Click on the description field and give the test a meaningful name such as "NNTP Service". 
  4. Select 'DesktopNntp' from the plugin drop down list box. This will immediately change the collection module parameter fields to be those fields that are required to monitor and measure the NNTP service. These are as follows:
    Field Value
    DesktopProfile Port Enter the listening port number for access to the DesktopProfile service. If you do not know this you should consult your network/system administrator.
    Timeout Enter the required timeout in seconds. Default value is 60 seconds (1 minute).
    Nntp Server Enter a valid news server name, for example news.blueyonder.co.uk.
    Group Enter the name of the group to obtain the number of messages in, for example alt.comp.lang.java.
    Send from address Enter the email address to use in the message sent to the group. Only complete this field if you want to also send a message to a newsgroup.
    to group Enter the name of the newsgroup to send the message to, for example alt.test. Only complete this field if you want to also send a message to a newsgroup.
    Hosts Select the group folder that contains the DNS servers you wish to collect data from.
    Interval Enter the collection interval.

     

  5. Highlight the group folder (the where) that contains all the Hosts and devices that you wish this Test to be run against (see example above, 'DesktopAgents' group) 
  6. Select the time interval (the when) in seconds, minutes or hours that you wish the test to be run on.
  7. Click "OK" to close the Edit Test dialog. 
  8. Click "OK" to close the Configure Tests dialog and schedule your test.

 

  Copyright © 1997-2005 Visualware Inc. · All Rights Reserved