Vulcan Knowledge Base

Subnet Configuration

Subnet is a very important concept in VulcanManager. A subnet contains a range of consecutive IP addresses and is presented by a Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR) block, e.g. 10.0.0.0/8 or 16.0.0.0/16. After being configured, a subnet can be assigned a role as Client Subnet or Server Subnet for a specific test.

You can create a subnet for either IPv4 or IPv6 addresses. A subnet defines a range of IP address where the emulated users or servers are located, e.g. an office LAN network connecting a number of PCs. A physical port on the chassis should always be assigned with a subnet.

In the Main Properties panel of subnets, you can:

  • Specify IP address range for clients (and servers)
  • Specify the MAC address for clients
  • Specify gateway
  • Enable/disable ARP for MAC address resolution
  • Enable/disable VLAN

Network Address and Network Mask Bit

The Network Address and Network Mask Bit (only for IPv4 subnet) fields together define the Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR) block of the subnet, e.g. 10.0.0.0/8. Users can modify both fields to form the CIDR block for testing purposes.


Limit Address Range

By default, this option is disabled.

This will offer a full range of IP addresses available in the CIDR block. For the CIDR block of 10.0.0.0/8, the available IP addresses will be from 10.0.0.2 to 10.255.255.255, resulting in 16,777,214 addresses (2^24-2).

If this option is enabled, users can limit the number of IP addresses in the subnet by providing the first and the last address.



Use Gateway

By default, this option is disabled.

This option should be enabled when the port is connected to a remote IP gateway that locates on the DUT. You can enable Use ARP in order to automatically resolve the MAC address of the remote gateway. If the ARP resolution fails, the address defined in Gateway MAC Address will be used as the destination MAC address.


Gateway Address

When this option is enabled, users can enter the IP address of the gateway function that this subnet is connected to, e.g. 10.0.0.1 for 10.0.0.0/8 CIDR block.


Gateway MAC Address

When the Use Gateway option is enabled, users can manually enter the MAC address of the port on the DUT that this subnet is connected.


NAT

By default, this option is disabled.

This option should be enabled on a server subnet when the DUT does source NAT, i.e. changing the source IP addresses of the traffic sent from the emulated clients.


Embed IP Address in MAC and Ethernet Address

By default, this option is enabled.

If Embed IP Address is enabled, each emulated client has a unique MAC address.

If Embed IP Address is disabled, each emulated client has the same MAC address as defined in Ethernet Address field.


Use ARP

By default, this option is disabled.

If Use ARP is enabled, the test port that is assigned with this subnet will send ARP requests before test traffic begins. Upon receiving the ARP request, the test port will send ARP reply accordingly.


Enable VLAN

By default, this option is disabled.

You can enable VLAN and input the VLAN PCP, VLAN DEI, and VLAN Identifier.

Knowledge base

Test. Improve. Repeat.

Chassis Management

Connecting to a Chassis

Chassis definitions are contained in the overall test configuration. You can add a chassis by pressing the Add Chassis button in the main Edit ribbon menu. You will then see the following dialog window:

Add chassis

  1. Fill in the IP address or hostname for the chassis in the Chassis Address field.
  2. Optionally change the Chassis Port Number value if you connect to the chassis through a NAT router that changes the port number. The default port value is 22606. If you have changed the port value and want to revert to the default value you can press the Reset to Default button.
  3. Enter the assigned password for the chassis in the Chassis Password field.
  4. Press the OK button.

The next time you open the Add Chassis window it will remember the last values you entered. If you have changed the port number and need to revert to the default Xena port number just press the Reset to Default button.

Editing the Chassis Address

If you need to modify the address or password details for a chassis you can select the chassis in the resource treeview and press the Edit Chassis button in the ribbon menu. You will then see a window similar to the Add Chassis window where you can change one or more of the values.

Note that the Edit Chassis button will only be enabled if you are not currently connected to the chassis (we assume that if you are connected to the chassis you have no need for changing the defined address)

This action is also available in the right-click context menu for the chassis item in the treeview.