How to run iperf as a service

On my FreeBSD routers I wan to run iperf as an always running service (daemon). The reason is to have possibility to test network throughput anytime I need it. Here is the rc script to do so.

Step 1: Create an rc.d script

pkg install -y iperf3 

Step 2: Create an rc.d script

mkdir -p /usr/local/etc/rc.d/ 

  

cat > /usr/local/etc/rc.d/iperf3 <<EOF  

#!/bin/sh

# PROVIDE: iperf3
# REQUIRE: NETWORKING
# KEYWORD: shutdown

. /etc/rc.subr

name="iperf3"
rcvar=iperf3_enable
command="/usr/local/bin/iperf3"
pidfile="/var/run/${name}.pid"
start_cmd="${name}_start"
stop_cmd="${name}_stop"

load_rc_config $name
: ${iperf3_enable:="NO"}

iperf3_start()
{
    echo "Starting ${name}..."
    /usr/local/bin/iperf3 -s -D
    echo $(pgrep -fx "/usr/local/bin/iperf3 -s -D") > ${pidfile}
}

iperf3_stop()
{
    echo "Stopping ${name}..."
    if [ -f "${pidfile}" ]; then
        kill $(cat ${pidfile}) && rm -f ${pidfile}
    else
        pkill -fx "/usr/local/bin/iperf3 -s -D"
    fi
}

run_rc_command "$1"

EOF

 

Step 3: Make it executable

chmod +x /usr/local/etc/rc.d/iperf3

Step 4: Enable and start the service

sysrc iperf3_enable="YES" 

service iperf3 start 

Step 5: Verify it’s running 

service iperf3 status

Step 6: Verify it's working

# Test download locally 

iperf3 -R -c localhost 

# Test upload remotely 

iperf3 -c localhost 

 

# Test download from remote address

iperf3 -R -c [IP-ADDRESS]

# Test upload from remote address

iperf3 -c [IP-ADDRESS]