Cisco dCloud offers the ability for you to perform a connection test from your current location, as well as the ability to send a connection test request via email to a user at a remote location.
Prior to launching a dCloud session, it is recommended that you run a connection test to verify that the connection can handle the speed and volume of traffic expected during an active session. If accessing the dCloud session via a laptop or other mobile device, you can complete the test using a wired or wireless connection. If the active session requires an endpoint device, such as a router or access point, it is recommended that you test the connection over the wired connection port to which the endpoint device will be connected.
Run a Connection Test
Follow the steps below to perform a connection test from your location.
- Browse to dcloud.cisco.com, choose the location closest to you, and then log in with your Cisco.com credentials.
- Click My Dashboard in the top menu bar.
Figure 1. My Dashboard option in top menu bar
- Click My Connection Tests.
Figure 2. My Connection Tests drop-down menu option
- Click Run a Connection Test.
Figure 3. Run a Connection Test
- The Connection Test window opens with a reminder that a supported browser and Java are required to perform the test. You may be prompted to load a upgraded version of Java, which you can do now or later. If you have the correct Java version, the test loads.
Figure 4. Loading Test
- Depending on your web browser settings, you may receive a popup window with a security warning. Click the option to allow the application to run. You must allow the application to run in order to perform the connection test.
Figure 5. Example Security Warning
- After the Connection Test window loads, click Start Test to start the connection test.
Figure 6. Connection Test Window
- In the popup window, enter a description for the location you are running the test from, for example “Home_Office”.
Figure 7. Connection Test Location
- Click OK.
- When the test is complete, the Connection Summary tab opens to display overview information.
Figure 8. Connection Summary Tab
- Review the Connection Summary tab.
This tab displays the upload and download speeds for the Internet signal from your current location and advises if the connection speeds are adequate to support an active dCloud session. Slow speeds may indicate a problem with your broadband link or network congestion, and results may vary due to the time of day.
- Click and review the Port Summary tab [
].
This tab shows whether a port required to connect to active dCloud sessions is open (“Connection Successful”) or not (“Connection Blocked”).
Figure 9. Port Summary Tab
Table 1 explains requirements on the ports listed in the Port Summary tab based on the devices and types of access needed to connect to active sessions.
Table 1. Port Requirements for Active dCloud Sessions
Port Name Port Number Access Type Requirements VPN Ready 443 TCP Must be open to allow Cisco AnyConnect VPN Clients and Cisco routers to connect to active sessions. IP Phones VPN 443 UDP Must be open to allow Cisco AnyConnect VPN Clients with Datagram Transport Layer Security (DTLS) authentication and Cisco IP phones to connect to active sessions. BYOD Data 5246 UDP Must be open to allow an access-point-only option using Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP) to connect to active sessions with a wireless LAN controller. BYOD Control 5247 UDP Must be open to allow an access-point-only option using CAPWAP to connect to active sessions with a wireless LAN controller.
- Click and review the Speed tab [
].
This tab displays detailed information on the speed test, such as the Max Delay and Route Concurrency. A minimum connection speed of 768 kbps is recommended for upload and download. To demonstrate multi-party or video conferences, a minimum connection speed of 1.5 Mbps is recommended for upload and download. Insufficient bandwidth may cause poor voice and video quality, non-functioning features, and dropped VPN connections.
Figure 10. Connection Speed Details Tab
- Click and review the RTT tab [
].
The tab displays the round trip time (RTT) consistency of the connection test.
The Round Trip Time Consistency shows the length of time it takes for a test signal to be sent from your location to the dCloud data center. A consistent, lower RTT will result in a more consistent connection to the dCloud session. When using VoIP clients or endpoints, it is recommended that the RTT be less than 300 ms round-trip and consistent. VoIP typically tolerates delays up to 150 ms one-way before the quality of the call is unacceptable.
Figure 11. Round Trip Time Consistency Tab
- Click Save and Return to Dashboard to exit the connection test.
Request a Remote Connection Test
Follow the steps below to send an email to an individual at a remote location, to request that they perform a connection test.
- Browse to dcloud.cisco.com, choose the location closest to you, and then login with your Cisco.com credentials.
- Click My Dashboard in the top menu bar.
Figure 12. My Dashboard option in top menu bar
- Click My Connection Tests.
Figure 13. My Connection Tests drop-down menu option
- Click Request a remote Connection Test.
Figure 14. Connection Test options
- In the Request a Remote Connection Test window, enter the email address and location of the user who will run the connection test at the remote location. You can also include a message with the request.
Figure 15. Request a Connection Test
- Click Save. An email with a custom link to the connection test is sent to the email address.
Figure 16. Example Email to Perform a Connection Test
- When the user clicks the link to perform the test, the user will see similar messages to those displayed during a local connection test. Refer to the previous section for details.
- After the user completes the test, an email with the results of the test are sent to both the requester and tester.
Figure 17. Example Email with Connection Test Results
- The saved test results can also be viewed by going to My Dashboard > My Connection Tests.