Using the Two-Way Active Measurement Protocol (TWAMP)
  • 04 Nov 2024
  • 11 Minutes to read
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Using the Two-Way Active Measurement Protocol (TWAMP)

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Article summary

Use the Two-Way Active Measurement Protocol (TWAMP) to measure round-trip IP performance between any two TWAMP-enabled units deployed in a network. With TWAMP, you can reliably perform in-band, roundtrip performance measurements and identify performance issues by sending test packets to a unit that reflects them back.

With TWAMP packet generation, you can perform one- and two-way delay and delay variation in a Layer-3 network, and measure packet loss. The Skylight sensor: control allows TWAMP packets to be reflected through its linked remote devices.

TWAMP defines two protocols:

  • TWAMP control protocol
  • TWAMP test protocol

TWAMP light only includes the test protocol and is supported by the remote devices’ TWAMP reflection feature. When using TWAMP light, test sessions can be configured without the control protocol.


Note: This function is only to be used with TWAMP when connecting to Layer-3 TWAMP session sender devices.

Setting Up TWAMP Control Behavior

TWAMP control protocols include:

  • Alarm indicating an issue with TWAMP control protocol:
    Error information is transferred to the result record if the user is disconnected from the twampcontrol server and a progress/state XML message is sent to Skylight orchestrator.

  • TWAMP UDP data continues when TWAMP control protocol stops.

  • On TWAMP session startup, the session goes into a waiting state if it cannot connect and keeps trying to establish the session.

  • TWAMP packet loss alarm continues to be present even if the TWAMP control protocol is down.


CAUTION: This feature is not enabled by default.

▶ To enable this feature using the CLI, enter:

agent-server { disable }


CAUTION: Disabling this will stop your running sessions.

pm-tools twamp-cp-continuous { enable }
pm-tools twamp-cp-continuous {show }
agent-server { enable }

Setting Up a TWAMP Reflector

The Skylight sensor: control can be configured to reflect TWAMP packets through the remote devices linked to it. The following procedure shows how to enable this kind of packet reflection.

Displaying a Summary of TWAMP Sessions

▶ To display a summary of TWAMP sessions (stateless and stateful)

  1. Access the page SOAM ▶ TWAMP ▶ Reflector ▶ Configuration.

    A list of all TWAMP reflection instances displays, divided into these sections: TWAMP Stateless summary, TWAMP Stateful default filter summary and TWAMP Stateful summary.

    See TWAMP Reflector Configuration Parameters for more information.

  2. (Optional) Limit the view to only certain sessions. Pick from the options in the Filter dropdown list, enter a value, and then click Search.

    Tip: Enter an asterisk ( * ) as a wildcard to replace one or more characters.

Editing TWAMP Stateless Sessions

▶ To edit a TWAMP stateless session

  1. In the Device column of TWAMP Stateless summary, click the session you want to edit.

    The TWAMP stateless configuration form displays.

  2. Edit the fields as required, then click Apply.

    See TWAMP Reflector Configuration Parameters for more information.

Editing TWAMP Stateful Default Filters

▶ To edit a TWAMP Stateful default filter

  1. In the Device column of TWAMP Statateful default filter summary, click the filter you want to edit.

    The TWAMP stateful default filter form displays.

  2. Edit the fields as required, then click Apply.

    See TWAMP Reflector Configuration Parameters for more information.

Adding TWAMP Stateful Sessions

▶ To add a TWAMP stateful session

  1. Click Add below TWAMP Stateful summary.

    The New TWAMP stateful configuration form displays.

  2. Complete the parameters, then click Apply.

    See TWAMP Reflector Configuration Parameters for more information.

Editing TWAMP Stateful Sessions

▶ To edit a TWAMP stateful session

  1. In the Session column of TWAMP Stateful summary, click the session you want to edit.

    The TWAMP Stateful configuration form displays.

  2. Edit the fields as required, then click Apply.

    See TWAP Reflector Configuration Parameters for more information.

Deleting TWAMP Stateful Sessions

▶ To delete a TWAMP stateful session

  1. In the Session column of TWAMP Stateful summary, click the session you want to delete.

    The TWAMP Stateful configuration form displays.

  2. Click Delete.

    See TWAP Reflector Configuration Parameters for more information.

Configuring NFV TWAMP Stateful Reflections

▶ To configure NFV TWAMP stateful reflection

  1. In the Session column of TWAMP Stateful summary, click the session you want to configure.

    The TWAMP Stateful configuration form displays.


    Note: The TWAMP session to be reflected in NFV must use a different UDP port than the TWAMP stateless reflection on the device and should not match any TWAMP stateful reflection filter on the device.

  2. Enable the TWAMP reflection in sensor control.

    The UDP port used by the session to be reflected must match the UDP configured in (SOAM ▶ Software Generator/Reflector ▶ Reflector Configuration).

  3. Click Apply.


    Note: To be reflected in NFV, the TWAMP session destination must be a VCE IP address.
    See TWAP Reflector Configuration Parameters for more information.

TWAMP Reflector Configuration Parameters

TWAMP Configuration (SOAM ▶ TWAMP ▶ Reflector ▶ Configuration)

ParameterDescription
DeviceName of the remote device on which the TWAMP reflection instance will be active.
StateDisplays whether the processing of TWAMP packets destined for a remote device is enabled or disabled.
EnableSelect to enable the processing of TWAMP packets destined for a remote device.
UDP DestinationUDP port on which TWAMP packets are to be reflected by the remote device.

The default value is 862. Other acceptable values are in the ranges of from 1 to 39999 and from 60001 to 65535.

IP MatchSelect to enable the processing of TWAMP packets destined to a remote device.

IP Match applies to IPv4 only. Automatically disabled for IPv6 frames.

Op StatusTWAMP operational status code:
  • link-down: Remote device is unlinked
  • waiting application: Service is not available presently as Device is in TGEN
  • programming: Remote device is currently being programmed
  • failed: Remote device has encountered a failure
  • active: Remote device is active and fully functional
  • inactive: Feature is inactive
SessionTWAMP stateful session number (1 to 16).
Filter typeFilter type: IPv4, IPv6, DefaultIPv4, or DefaultIPv6.
Filter NameUnique name used to identify the filter.

Managing In-Use Software Generators/Reflectors

Use the page SOAM ▶ Software Generator/Reflector ▶ Session Status to view details of current Actuator sessions, as well as a listing (or port map) of all ports associated with Actuator sessions that use Level-3 protocols (TCP, UDP).

The total number of sessions and reflectors in use, and the maximum number of each, appear at the top of the page.

Viewing the Status of Actuator Sessions

▶ To view the status of Actuator sessions

  1. Access the page SOAM ▶ Software Generator/Reflector ▶ Session Status.

    A listing of all Actuator sessions, along with summary details, display.

  2. (Optional) Limit the view to only certain sessions. Pick from the options in the Filter dropdown list, enter a value, and then click Search.

    Tip: Enter an asterisk ( * ) as a wildcard to replace one or more characters.

  3. Click a Peer ID value from the list to view additional information such as the packet rate and bandwidth.

    See Actuator Session Parameters for information.

Actuator Session Parameters

Actuator Session Parameters (SOAM ▶ Software Generator/Reflector ▶ Session Status)

ValueDescription
PeerIdUnique value assigned to this peer
StateCurrent state of this Actuator session:
  • idle: Stream is idle
  • blocked: Stream is blocked (disabled)
  • waiting: Stream is waiting
  • stopped: Stream is stopped
  • running: Stream is running
  • error: Stream is in error state
  • pause: Bandwidth stream is in pause state
  • xmit: Bandwidth stream is transmitting
  • sync: Bandwidth stream prepares transmitter
TypeActuator session type:
  • sync: Accedian sync algorithm
  • scan: Accedian end point discovery protocol
  • 1way: 1xOneWay stream
  • 2way: 2xOneWay stream
  • echo: Echo stream
  • bw: Bandwidth stream
  • twamp: TWAMP Light (RFC-5357)
  • ethlb: ETH-LB (Y.1731/802.1ag)
  • ethdm: ETH-DM (Y.1731)
  • ethvs: ETH-VS (Y.1731)
  • zap: Multicast Zapper
EncapEncapsulation method used for the packets transmitted as part of this session, such as UDP/IPv4
SrcAddrSource IP address of the session
DstAddrDestination IP address of the session

Viewing the Actuator Session Portmap

Knowledge of all ports currently in use by all Actuator sessions can be helpful when configuring with a firewall or when using Skylight orchestrator’s auto-generate port feature to automatically assign port numbers.


Note: As of Skylight sensor: control 22.06, with the corresponding device firmware suite, you can have up to two TWAMP UDP ports for reflectors on Skylight sensor: control that have UDP/IPv4 and UDP/IPV6 encapsulation.
This feature is fully-supported starting with Skylight Orchestrator 22.10. Using Skylight Orchestrator 22.07 or older requires the creation of a reflector object: create a reflector endpoint in Skylight Orchestrator using the IP address of the interface you want to use as a reflector, then create TWAMP reflector sessions for multiple TWAMP UDP ports with the previously-created reflector endpoint.

▶ To view the Actuator session portmap

  1. Access the page SOAM ▶ Software Generator/Reflector ▶ Session Status.

    A listing of all ports Actuator sessions displays in the Actuator Session Portmap section.

  2. (Optional) Limit the view to only certain sessions. Pick from the options in the Filter dropdown list, enter a value, and then click Search.

    Tip: Enter an asterisk ( * ) as a wildcard to replace one or more characters.

    See Actuator Session Portmap Parameters for information.

Actuator Session Portmap Parameters

Actuator Session Portmap (SOAM ▶ Software Generator/Reflector ▶ Session Status)

ValueDescription
ProtocolLevel-3 protocol used by this Actuator session, such as RTP, TCP, Y1731, GRE, SCTP, ICMP, UDP, dm, lb, vs, IPv4 or IPv6
PortUDP or TCP port number used by this Actuator session
TypeActuator session type, such as stream or external
FunctionLabel assigned to the protocol, such as 2xOneWay, Bandwidth, Sync, or TWAMP

Setting Up a Reflector

Use the page SOAM ▶ Software Generator/Reflector ▶ Reflector Configuration to view a reflector’s current status, to enable or disable reflectors, and to change a reflector's assigned port number.


Notes:

Although you can manage reflectors via the Skylight sensor: control, managing transceiver sessions must be carried out using the Skylight orchestrator module.

As of Skylight sensor: control 22.06, with the corresponding device firmware suite:

  • You can have up to two TWAMP UDP ports for reflectors on Skylight sensor: control that have UDP/IPv4 and UDP/IPV6 encapsulation.
    This feature is fully-supported starting with Skylight Orchestrator 22.10. Using Skylight Orchestrator 22.07 or older requires the creation of a reflector object: create a reflector endpoint in Skylight Orchestrator using the IP address of the interface you want to use as a reflector, then create TWAMP reflector sessions for multiple TWAMP UDP ports with the previously-created reflector endpoint.
  • Encapsulation methods udp/ipv6 and icmp/ipv6 are supported.

Configuring Reflectors

You can enable or disable a reflector and change its assigned port number.

▶ To configure a reflector

  1. Access the page SOAM ▶ Software Generator/Reflector ▶ Reflector Configuration.

    A listing of all reflectors displays.

  2. (Optional) Limit the view to only certain reflectors. Pick from the options in the Filter dropdown list, enter a value, and then click Search.

    Tip: Enter an asterisk ( * ) as a wildcard to replace one or more characters.

  3. Click an Index value from the list.

    The Reflector Configuration form displays.

  4. Complete the fields as required, then click Apply.

    See Reflector Configuration Parameters for information.

Reflector Configuration Parameters

Reflector Parameters (SOAM ▶ Software Generator/Reflector ▶ Reflector Configuration)

Reflector Status

ValueDescription
IndexUnique value assigned to this reflector
StateCurrent state of this reflector:
  • Free: The reflector is not yet enabled or assigned to a port
  • Idle: The reflector is enabled, but not actively reflecting packets
  • Running: The reflector is enabled and actively reflecting packets
  • Blocked: The reflector is disabled and not actively reflecting packets
TypeReflector type:
  • 2way-rf
  • bw-rf
  • echo-rf
  • ethlb-rf
  • scan-rf
  • sync-rf
  • twamp-rf
  • ethdm-rf
  • ethvs-rf
EncapEncapsulation method used by this reflector, such as RTP, TCP, Y1731, GRE, SCTP, ICMP, UDP, dm, lb, vs, IPv4 or IPv6
PortPort number currently assigned to this reflector

Reflector Configuration

ValueDescription
EnableSelect to enable this reflector

Once enabled, the port's state automatically changes to Idle

Note: The reflector must be assigned a valid port number before it can be enabled

StateCurrent state of this reflector, as described above
Reflector TypeReflector type, as described above
ProtocolProtocol used by this reflector, such as RTP, TCP, Y1731, GRE, SCTP, ICMP, UDP, dm, lb, vs, IPv4 or IPv6
PortEnter a port number to assign to this reflector

Viewing Software Generator/Reflector Session Statistics

Use the page SOAM ▶ Software Generator/Reflector ▶ Session Statistics to display state information and configuration details of running generator/reflector sessions.

▶ To view software generator/reflector session statistics

  1. Access the page SOAM ▶ Software Generator/Reflector ▶ Session Statistics.

    Statistics for all generator/reflector sessions are provided in a grid.

    See Session Statistics Parameters for information.

  2. (Optional) Limit the view to only certain Actuator sessions. Pick from the options in the Filter dropdown list, enter a value, and then click Search.

    Tip: Enter an asterisk ( * ) as a wildcard to replace one or more characters.

Session Statistics Parameters

Session Statistics (SOAM ▶ Software Generator/Reflector ▶ Session Statistics)

ValueDescription
PeerIdSession's unique 32-bit identifier
StateCurrent state of the session:
  • Free: The reflector is not yet enabled or assigned to a port
  • Idle: The reflector is enabled, but not actively reflecting packets
  • Running: The reflector is enabled and actively reflecting packets
  • Blocked: The reflector is disabled and not actively reflecting packets
TypeSession type:
  • 2way-rf
  • bw-rf
  • echo-rf
  • ethlb-rf
  • scan-rf
  • sync-rf
  • twamp-rf
  • ethdm-rf
  • ethvs-rf
EncapEncapsulation method used by this session, such as RTP, TCP, Y1731, GRE, SCTP, ICMP, UDP, dm, lb, vs, IPv4 or IPv6
TxPktsNumber of packets that have been transmitted since the session began
RxPktsNumber of packets that have been received since the session began
ErrorsNumber of errors that have been raised since the session began
Syst Inf/VceInterface or VCE which is associated with Actuator sessions.

The list of interfaces includes the local interfaces bound to the Skylight sensor: control

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