iperf2

Spec sheet

What it does

iperf2 generates and receives TCP or UDP traffic between a client and server to measure throughput, latency, jitter, packet loss and related socket-level metrics.Read 15 Oct 2026 · iperf2.sourceforge.io

Support

SourceForge says the recommended help channel is the project's discussion forum, with tickets available for bug tracking.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net

License

Debian's copyright record identifies the main iperf source and Broadcom-contributed files as BSD-3-clause licensed.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sources.debian.org

API and SDKs

The published developer interface is the command-line program and its documented options; no separate REST API or SDK is described on the project pages.Read 15 Oct 2026 · iperf2.sourceforge.io

Company and maintainer

Robert (Bob) McMahon is identified as the creator and maintainer of iperf2 and as founder and CTO of Umber Networks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com

Development history

The iperf3 FAQ states that McMahon restarted iperf2 development in 2014 after the original project had been orphaned, adding fixes and features while retaining broad platform support.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com

Documentation depth

The project publishes a user manual, a man page, installation instructions, option reference, examples, diagnostics and bug-reporting guidance.Read 15 Oct 2026 · iperf2.sourceforge.io

Enhanced metrics

Enhanced reporting can expose RTT, congestion window, retries, packets per second and latency-related values.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net

Extensibility

The source includes a Python asyncio flows framework and compile-time configure flags for professional features, fast sampling and diagnostics.Read 15 Oct 2026 · iperf2.sourceforge.io

Independent packaging

Homebrew provides a brew install iperf formula, identifies the software as a TCP/UDP bandwidth tool and lists BSD-3-Clause licensing with macOS and Linux bottles.Read 15 Oct 2026 · formulae.brew.sh

Installation

Source builds use GNU Autotools with ./configure, make and sudo make install; distributions commonly package it as iperf.Read 15 Oct 2026 · iperf2.sourceforge.io

Interoperability limit

iperf2 and iperf3 are independent implementations and do not interoperate at the protocol level.Read 15 Oct 2026 · iperf2.sourceforge.io

Latency and jitter

It measures latency, including one-way delay and round-trip time, together with UDP jitter.Read 15 Oct 2026 · iperf2.sourceforge.io

Limit: Android availability

AppBrain records the older Kaushik Battu Android app as unpublished from Google Play on February 6, 2025.Read 15 Oct 2026 · appbrain.com

Limit: Android usability complaints

AppBrain comments report missing one-click client/server setup, options requiring an app restart, IPv6 display and detection problems, and commands that did not work for some users.Read 15 Oct 2026 · appbrain.com

Limit: long-run crash history

A Debian bug report records iperf2 crashing during long tests on 40Gb/s NICs in version 2.0.10, with the issue fixed in 2.0.12.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bugs.debian.org

Limit: UDP throughput variance

A GitHub issue reports iperf2 UDP throughput around 557 Mbps where iperf3 reached roughly 900 Mbps in the same test setup.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com

Limit: Windows UDP server bug

An open SourceForge ticket reports that a persistent Windows UDP server can stop returning acknowledgements after the first client disconnects.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net

Multicast and IP versions

The implementation supports multicast including source-specific multicast, plus IPv4 and IPv6.Read 15 Oct 2026 · iperf2.sourceforge.io

Output formats

The command line can produce human-readable reports and CSV output; JSON output is not listed for iperf2.Read 15 Oct 2026 · iperf2.sourceforge.io

Packet loss and ECN

Packet-loss reporting and ECN measurements are included in the published feature set.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net

Parallel and duplex modes

Tests can use parallel streams, reverse traffic, bidirectional traffic and full-duplex operation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · iperf2.sourceforge.io

Platform support

Official project pages list builds for Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, embedded systems and set-top boxes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net

Praise: latency and broadcasting tests

A SourceForge reviewer reports using iperf2 to compare TCP and UDP latency for video broadcasting and calls it a strong choice.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net

Praise: multicast and high-capacity testing

SourceForge reviewers describe it as a must-have for multicast testing and effective for checking bandwidth on high-capacity links.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net

Project origin date

SourceForge records the iperf2 project as registered on February 6, 2014.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net

Rating on AppBrain

3.80 out of 5 from 69 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · appbrain.com

Rating on Apple App Store

3.5 out of 5 from 6 ratingsRead 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com

Rating on Google Play

3.3 out of 5 from 83 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com

Rating on SourceForge

5.0 out of 5 from 4 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net

Release status

SourceForge lists version 2.2.2 released September 29, 2026.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net

Responsiveness testing

Bounceback and request/reply responsiveness tests with latency histograms are supported.Read 15 Oct 2026 · iperf2.sourceforge.io

Security feature

Professional builds can require permit keys for server access, with configurable key lifetime and key-file rotation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · iperf2.sourceforge.io

Self-hosting model

A test requires a locally run server instance and a client instance, so deployments can be self-hosted.Read 15 Oct 2026 · iperf2.sourceforge.io

TCP and UDP

The tool supports TCP and UDP traffic tests in client and server modes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · iperf2.sourceforge.io

Throughput testing

The project provides network throughput testing for capacity measurements.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net

Traffic controls

Documented controls include congestion-control selection, socket pacing, simulated send delay, rate limiting and port ranges.Read 15 Oct 2026 · iperf2.sourceforge.io

Plans and prices

Every iperf2 plan and price →

Where Specifiction places it

• Network Diagnostic Software#6 of 378.7