“httping” is a command-line utility used to measure the latency and throughput of a web server. It provides a simple and efficient way to assess the responsiveness and performance of a web server by sending HTTP requests and measuring the time it takes to receive responses. Here are some key features and aspects of “httping”:
- Latency Measurement: “httping” measures the round-trip time (RTT) between the client and the web server by sending HTTP requests and recording the time it takes to receive responses. This latency measurement helps users evaluate the responsiveness of the web server and identify potential network or server issues.
- Throughput Measurement: In addition to latency, “httping” can also measure the throughput of a web server by calculating the rate at which HTTP requests are processed and responses are received. This throughput measurement provides insights into the server’s capacity to handle incoming requests and deliver content efficiently.
- Simple Command-Line Interface: “httping” is operated entirely through the command line, making it easy to use and integrate into scripts or automated monitoring systems. Users specify the target web server’s URL or IP address along with optional parameters to customize the behavior of the tool.
- Customizable Parameters: “httping” provides various parameters for customizing the behavior of the HTTP requests, such as specifying the request method (e.g., GET, POST), setting request headers, configuring timeouts, and controlling the frequency of requests. These parameters allow users to tailor the testing process to their specific requirements.
- Summary Statistics: After performing measurements, “httping” displays summary statistics that include the minimum, maximum, average, and standard deviation of latency and throughput values. This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the web server’s performance characteristics.
- IPv6 Support: “httping” supports both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, allowing users to test the latency and throughput of web servers accessible via IPv6 networks. This ensures compatibility with modern networking environments that utilize IPv6 addressing.
- Open Source and Documentation: “httping” is an open-source project with documentation available for users to understand its usage, options, and capabilities. Users can view the source code, contribute improvements, report issues, and provide feedback, fostering community collaboration and development.
httping Command Examples
1. Ping the specified URL:
# httping -g [url]
2. Ping the web server on host and port:
# httping -h [host] -p [port]
3. Ping the web server on host using a TLS connection:
# httping -l -g https://[host]
4. Ping the web server on host using HTTP basic authentication:
# httping -g http://[host] -U [username] -P [password]
Summary
Overall, “httping” is a valuable tool for assessing the performance of web servers by measuring latency and throughput. Its simplicity, flexibility, and support for IPv6 make it a useful resource for network administrators, web developers, and system operators seeking to optimize and troubleshoot web server performance.