Packet Loss Test Software

Why Perform a Packet Loss Test?

Packet loss is accountable for many network problems, especially in wide area networks (WANs) and in wireless networks. A packet loss test helps to establish whether network connectivity problems or low quality VoIP connections are caused by UDP packet loss.

PRTG Network Monitor is a powerful network monitoring utility which not only helps you to check lost packets, troubleshoot wireless packet loss and UDP packet loss issues, but can also be used to calculate bandwidth, check the availability of network devices, to monitor network utilization and to keep track of network performance. Its flexible alerting options allow you to determine exactly when and how you want to be alerted of issues that require your attention.

PRTG performs a reliable UDP packet loss test using the built-in QoS sensor, which takes its measurements by sending UDP packets between two remote probes. Apart from measuring lost packets, the QoS sensor monitors paramaters such as VoIP jitter, duplicate packets, packet delay, and Ethernet latency.

WAN and Wireless Packet Loss Test

Thanks to the utilization of remote probes, just one installation of PRTG allows you to monitor wide area networks, where packet loss measurement is especially important, as long distances from the data centers frequently result in lost packets. By placing remote probes in different parts of your wide area network, you can measure UDP packet loss across your WAN connections. If a wireless connection exists between the two probes, you can of course conduct a wireless packet loss test.

Another possibility to measure packet loss using PRTG is the PING sensor: it conducts a regular PING test from the server running PRTG to your network devices, measuring the round trip time and lost packets.

PRTG Network Monitor

The PRTG Network Monitors are available in two editions. For free, basic packet loss tests and bandwidth checks, the Freeware Edition may be downloaded and used for personal and commercial use completely free of charge. For more advanced needs, licenses for the Commercial Editions start at $400 / €300. A free 30-day trial is available for evaluation purposes.