In networking, an MTR (Multi-Path Traceroute) test is a diagnostic tool used to trace the route and measure the performance of network paths between a source and a destination, such as between a user’s computer and a website or server.

It combines the functionality of Traceroute and Ping to provide more comprehensive information about network latency and packet loss across multiple paths. It helps identify where network slowdowns or issues are occurring.

Explanation of MTR Test Results:

  1. Hostnames/IP Addresses:

    • Each row in the MTR result represents a network hop along the path between your device and the destination server.
    • The hostname or IP address corresponds to a router or server in the path.

  2. Loss (%):

    • This column shows the percentage of packets that were lost at each hop.
    • Packet loss indicates that some data sent from your device didn’t reach the next hop or destination. High packet loss at a specific hop can indicate a problem with that hop or the network path.

  3. SRTT (Symmetric Round-Trip Time):

    • This is the average round-trip time (RTT) for packets to travel from your device to that hop and back.
    • The value is usually given in milliseconds (ms). Lower values are better, indicating faster communication.

  4. Max RTT (Maximum Round-Trip Time):

    • The maximum time it took for a packet to travel to that hop and return.
    • It is useful for identifying significant delays or spikes in network performance.

  5. Min RTT (Minimum Round-Trip Time):

    • This shows the minimum time it took for a packet to make the round trip to that hop.
    • A low minimum RTT suggests that the path is generally fast, but it’s important to look at the average and maximum times to assess consistency.

  6. Stdev (Standard Deviation):

    • The standard deviation represents the variability in the round-trip times. A higher standard deviation means there is more fluctuation in the network speed, which could indicate network congestion or instability.

Interpreting MTR Test Results:

  • Consistent Low Latency: If all hops show low latency and no packet loss, this indicates a healthy network.
  • Packet Loss at a Specific Hop: If a particular hop consistently shows high packet loss, it could suggest a problem with that router or network segment. However, packet loss reported at intermediate hops may sometimes be due to network policies (such as routers prioritizing traffic or rate-limiting pings).
  • High Latency in Specific Hops: If the round-trip times (RTT) are high at a specific hop, that hop may be experiencing congestion or other issues, which could slow down the entire connection.
  • Increased Variability (High Standard Deviation): If the standard deviation is high, this means there are fluctuations in the time it takes for packets to reach the destination, which may indicate unstable network conditions, such as jitter or congestion.

Conclusion:

An MTR test gives valuable insights into where network performance issues might be occurring. Packet loss or high latency at specific hops can help pinpoint problematic areas in the network, such as routers or links, that may need further investigation or optimization.