To determine whether system configuration changes increase network performance, you must have a method for benchmarking your system. Several applications are available for testing client and server network performance. These utilities range from basic programs to high-end testing engines that provide an incredible assortment of application-specific testing and reporting features. At the low end of the spectrum, Ziff-Davis' ServerBench and NetBench utilities (http://www.zdbop.com) are inexpensive solutions. Alternatively, you can purchase Bluecurve's Dynameasure (http://www.bluecurve.com) product family, which includes products for testing the capacity of file and print servers and servers running Microsoft Exchange Server, SQL Server, and Oracle. Although Dynameasure is expensive, it provides enough bells and whistles to satisfy even the most analytical performance tuners.