Update: WTF now supports RTT, loaded RTT, throughput, CPU load and plotting

Hi,

I wanted to share a small update on WTF — Wi-Fi Test Framework.

After the first early version, I continued extending the tool from a basic throughput automation script into a more complete Wi-Fi/network testing CLI.

The current development version now supports:

  • cold RTT measurements;

  • loaded RTT measurements;

  • iperf3 throughput measurements;

  • CPU load measurements on both sides;

  • basic result plotting.

The main idea is to measure not only raw throughput, but also how the network behaves under load.

For example, the tool can now run a throughput test and measure RTT/latency behavior during that load, while also collecting CPU load from both the client side and the OpenWrt AP side. The goal is to make it easier to see whether a test result is limited by Wi-Fi conditions, CPU load, AP behavior, or something else.

The current target setup is still:

  • Linux client machine running WTF;

  • OpenWrt-based AP controlled over SSH/UCI;

  • iperf3 installed on both sides;

  • separate control and test networks;

  • configuration file describing AP/client addresses and test settings.

I’m planning to run more end-to-end tests on different hardware, including Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 OpenWrt APs, before moving toward the next larger version.

At this stage, I would especially appreciate feedback on:

  • whether the measurement workflow makes sense for OpenWrt-based Wi-Fi testing;

  • better ways to measure loaded RTT during iperf3 traffic;

  • possible OpenWrt-specific edge cases when changing radio/channel/bandwidth settings;

  • whether collecting CPU load from both sides is enough, or if other system metrics would be useful;

  • how to make the test methodology more reliable and reproducible.

The project is still early-stage, so I’m not presenting it as a finished benchmarking tool. I’m mostly trying to build a practical testing workflow and would appreciate criticism from people with more OpenWrt/Wi-Fi testing experience.

GitHub:

Any technical feedback is welcome.

The orginal thread, for reference: WTF - WiFi Test Framework for OpenWrt

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