iperf3 is a command-line utility for actively measuring network performance between two systems.
One machine runs as an iperf3 server while another acts as the client. The utility can generate TCP, UDP or SCTP traffic and report bandwidth and other measurements at regular intervals and at the end of a test.
Its combination of simple operation and extensive tuning options makes iperf3 useful for testing wired, wireless and high-speed network connections.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Measures TCP, UDP and SCTP network performance.
- Uses a straightforward client-server architecture.
- Reports throughput at configurable intervals during a test.
- Supports parallel data streams.
- Provides reverse-direction and bidirectional testing.
- Allows TCP window and socket buffer parameters to be adjusted.
- Supports UDP bandwidth and datagram-size controls.
- Offers JSON output for scripts and automated testing.
- Can bind tests to specific network interfaces and addresses.
- Supports CPU affinity for controlled performance testing.
- Provides a zero-copy mode on supported systems.
- Includes a reusable library implementation for integration with other software.
Website: github.com/esnet/iperf
Support:
Developer: ESnet / Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
License: BSD 3-Clause License
iperf3 is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Benchmark Tools | |
|---|---|
| hyperfine | Rust-based command-line benchmarking tool |
| Phoronix Test Suite | Comprehensive testing and benchmarking platform |
| s-tui | Terminal-based stress test and monitoring tool |
| fio | Scriptable I/O tool for storage benchmarks and drive testing |
| KDiskMark | HDD and SSD benchmarking with friendly graphical user interface |
| iperf3 | Active measurement of network performance on IP networks |
| stress-ng | Stress next generation |
| Hardinfo2 | System information and benchmark tool |
| sysbench | Scriptable database and system performance benchmark |
| GtkStressTesting | Stress and monitor hardware components |
| glmark2 | Measure the performance of OpenGL 2.0 and OpenGL ES 2.0 |
| UnixBench | Original BYTE UNIX benchmark suite |
| Likwid | Performance monitoring and benchmarking tools for Linux systems |
| netperf | A network performance benchmark |
| vkmark | Vulkan benchmarking suite |
| GNOME Disks | View, modify and configure disks and media |
| elbencho | Distributed benchmark for storage and network performance |
| bonnie++ | Benchmark suite software |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
 Explore our carefully curated directory of recommended free and open source software, covering every major software category.The directory forms part of our extensive collection of articles for Linux enthusiasts. It includes hundreds of detailed reviews, together with free and open source alternatives to proprietary software from companies such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. LinuxLinks also covers interesting projects worth exploring, Linux-compatible hardware, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. Know a useful free and open source Linux application that we haven’t covered? Tell us about it using our submission form. |
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.