From: brian@aim.com (Brian Flock)
Subject: Re: Free NFS Response Time Monitor
Followup-To: comp.protocols.nfs
Originator: brian@monsoon
Organization: Aim Technology
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 23:21:15 GMT

In article <nxfyh!-@rpi.edu>, fitzgb@mml0.meche.rpi.edu (Brian Fitzgerald) writes:

	> NFS RTM Distribution writes:
	> >
	> >                    *************************************
	> >                    FREE NFS SERVER RESPONSE TIME UTILITY
	> >                    *************************************
	> 
	> ... cool program.  For anyone interested, here's an example output of
	> the free demo they sent me.  Good teaser for the sharpshooter.
	> ...

Thanks!

	>                         NFS RESPONSE TIME REPORT
	>                 Failure Rate       NFS Response Time (ms)      NFS Load
	> Server            Over  20ms           Avg        Max         (ops/sec)
	> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
	> hammer                    0%           2.9        3.1               0.0
	> darwin                    0%           1.0        1.0               0.0
	> usenet                   20%          10.9       67.6               0.9
	> mml0                      0%           2.5        2.7               0.1
	> cds1                      9%           5.8       27.6               0.2

Unfortunately, some people can't recognize an act of goodwill (the offering of
the NFS Response Time Monitor for free) and instead make heinous attempts to
spread ill will throughout the net.  I feel that I must take this opportunity to
set the record straight before a full scale flame-war breaks out.  We have sent
NFSRTM to almost a thousand people around the country AT OUR EXPENSE.  This
is good for both you and AIM because you get an interesting, useful utility for
FREE and we get an opportunity to introduce you to SharpShooter, a CLIENT/SERVER
PERFORMANCE MONITORING tool for network and system administrators.

However, a certain vjs@rhyolite.wpd.sgi.com (Vernon Schryver) from Silicon
Graphics, in a mad-dog manner, barked up the wrong tree and chose to attack a
free monitor as if it were a benchmark.  We know about benchmarks.  We like
benchmarks.  NFSRTM is *not* a benchmark.  In fact, the benchmarking arm of AIM
is a totally separate business unit.  NFSRTM was developed by the AIM
System/Network Management group.  We read from VJS:

	> I'd be very surprised if the AIM test is a fraction as interesting as
	> LADDIS, the multi-vendor effort within SPEC to come up with an NFS
	> benchmark.

Mr. Schryver should first recognize that *NEITHER* NFSRTM or SharpShooter are
benchmarks.  Both products measure *actual* NFS statistics based on a production
server's/network's *actual* mix.  These tools are used for performance tuning and
long-term monitoring.  Specifically, NFSRTM averages ACTUAL response times to all
clients on a specific subnet for each server.  This is valuable information
that allows you to compare the performance of file servers as they are used
in a day-to-day environment.

Mr. Schryver would do well to read more carefully (as recommended by Brian
Fitzgerald) and talk less.  Our initial offer explained NFSRTM in sufficient
detail to determine that it was a monitor and not benchmark (i.e., MONITOR is
part of its name!).  AIM *never* gives away benchmarks!!!!

	> Another controversy within the group working on LADDIS has been what,
	> if any, single "figure of merit" or number the LADDIS benchmark should
	> produce.  I don't recall seeing mention of "response time" for a long
	> time.

NFSRTM reports response time values to tell you how quickly the clients are
receiving their NFS responses.  If actual response time is good on a production
server, the theoretical throughput of the server is not relevant.  LADDIS has
nothing to do with daily Client/Server Performance Monitoring.

Our thanks to Brian Fitzgerald for helping his colleagues.  Our admonition to clean
up this news group go to those who choose to flame without the facts or grind
their own axes.

WE REPEAT OUR FREE OFFER TO THOSE OF YOU INVOLVED IN NETWORK AND SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION.
=======================================================================================

Complete the following information, send it to 'nfsrtm-request@aim.com', and we'll
send you a FREE copy of NFSRTM (SunOS 4.1 version only) as well as literature on
SharpShooter:  (Heck, we'll even send one to Vernon as act of goodwill to mend our
differences)


   Name             :
   Title            :
   Organization     :
   Address          :
   City, State ZIP  :
   Telephone        :
   Fax              :
   E-mail Address   :      
   Types of Servers :
   Number of Servers:

   1.  What performance management tools do you currently use?


   2.  What information would you like that they don't currently provide?
       (or what is their major weakness?)


   3.  Have you tired of hearing Vernon Schriver flame on this news group?


Brian Flock
Product Manager
AIM Technology
brian@aim.com or {uunet,netcom}!aimt!brian
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.nfs