CCDA/CCDP - Processor load calculation

Author

Processor load calculation

rbd

2002-08-28, 5:19 am

Hi, I'm new here, hope you can help me.
I'm a network designer and I work mainly with Cisco equipment.
When choosing an equipment, and after the requirements are known, it all starts with choosing the lowest router that supports all the hardware needed (serial ports, Lan ports, etc...) and then choosing the proper IOS and if needed memory upgrades.
Normally this will do.
Then special features are considered that might overload the processor like cRTP sessions, SNA, encryption that might require a bigger router just because of its processing power. This is not always an exact decision, comes from experince or sometimes trial and error.
Is there a way, even a rough way, to calculate the processor load in a design stage taking into account what it will do (WAN throughput, voice, encryption...)?
I don't know what exactly the processor does to each packet, but each may have a diferent treatment, so I don't quite understand the processor preformance rating in packets per second.

this is getting quite long so I'll wait for some feedback and then provide more thoughts if needed.

Thanks
Renato

Justin2112

2002-09-05, 4:18 pm

Hi,

I don't know of an exact tool for doing what you are asking, maybe you should query Cisco on that one. However, if you seem to be running into that kind of thing a lot, there is a book you should get/read.

Inside Cisco IOS software Architecture.
( ISBN 1-578701813 )

It's written by 3 CCIEs & its all about the kinds of things you are asking, which process takes more CPU load, etc. . . it breaks the IOS down. It does not say which router to choose, but it will give you a finer understanding of the IOS and how it handles load.

Just a thought.

PEACE,

Justin

rbd

2002-09-06, 4:55 am

thanks for the information, I'll check your sugestions!

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