Simulating WAN Connection for SQL Server Performance Testing

I needed to do some testing on SQL Server on my PC, but response was of course very fast, so i needed to simulate WAN connection to get some real world results..

i found a good article [How To: Simulate WAN Connections in Your Own Test Lab, For Free!] by Michel Roth

Since WAN main characteristics are : limited in bandwidth and high in latency, we can use one of two software:

1- NetLimiter Pro (commercial-28-day evaluation period)
it can limit the bandwidth per process. You can use this ability in two ways:
a. You can install it on the Server (ex:SQL Server) and limit the incoming bandwidth.
b. You can install it on the Client machine(ex:IIS) and limit the outgoing bandwidth for the client(Preferred).

2. TMnetSim Network Simulator (free!)
a *free* tool to allow you to simulate network latency & packet loss!,You can install it on the client or on the server. I gonna use the tool on the Server.

Here are the steps to setup that tool for testing SQL Server 2005 Express on your local PC:

1. Download zip file and run executable
2. SQL Server default port is 1433 so:
   Under 'Outbound Connection' >> enter IP: 127.0.0.1, Port : 1433
   Under 'Inbound Connection' >> enter port: 1422 (any other port!)
   Under 'inbound-->outbound policies' >> Delay Type : Gausian, Delay Base:250 , Daley Jitter : 25
3. click "Start"
4. Setup your Connection String on ASP
   Provider=SQLOLEDB; Data Source=127.0.0.1\sqlexpress,1422;Initial Catalog=db;User Id=user;Password=pass;
   or ASP.Net :
   <connectionStrings>
<add name="SQLConn" connectionString="Data Source=127.0.0.1\sqlexpress,1422;Initial Catalog=DB;Persist Security Info=False;User ID=user;Password=pass;Network Library=dbmssocn" providerName="System.Data.SqlClient"/>
</connectionStrings>
   
5. If things running ok, you should see connection information (Latency- Bandwidth- Packet Loss)

Tags: ASP , ASP.Net , IIS , performance , scalability , SQL Server , Tech Tips