Run a LAN Speed test using a Macro?

Hi,

I conduct hourly speed tests on our servers using a LAN speed test program. I was looking for help creating a macro that could run this for me and record the results as this would undoubtedly save me copious amounts of valuable time. I'm afraid I know nothing of programming these macros, and the extent of my knowledge of them is recording very simple ones to help get around repetitive everyday tasks.

Basically I want the macro to run the LAN Speed Test program, print the results through XPS document writer using the current time and date as part of the saved name and also to add the results to the workbook in the next slot. If this is impossible then that's fine, I'll have to just continue running them or create some Python script that could maybe run it.

Thanks in advance for any help.

What is the name of the LAN speed test program? Does it have an API (allows it to be controlled through vba)? In the vbaeditor try going to tools -> references and see if you can find it in that list. That would make things easier. Otherwise you might be able to do it with a shell command to run the program but not sure if you would be able to get the results back.

It is just called LAN Speed Test v2 by Totusoft.com. It is not in the vbaeditor list.

Does it have to use that program? If not, I'd say the first step would be to find an alternative with an API reference. Does this do what you need? http://www.internet2.edu/performance/ndt/api.html if so, that might be an option. You should be able to call the speed test for that from within excel.

I'd rather keep the same program if it's possible. It's very effective and simple to use, it simply writes a file to a specified folder on a network, then reads it and tells you how fast the read/write speed was.

If it all it does is read/write a file to a specified folder on a network, maybe you can just get vba to do this? You might need to play about it to get the speed/accuracy balance right but you should be able to time how long it takes to say, read and write 10000 characters to a text file to get a similar idea to what that program does.