# A few tips for the IP expert that may be new to SCADA.

**URL:** https://community.cambiumnetworks.com/t/a-few-tips-for-the-ip-expert-that-may-be-new-to-scada/52401
**Category:** cnReach
**Created:** [August 1, 2017, 1:02pm UTC](https://community.cambiumnetworks.com/t/a-few-tips-for-the-ip-expert-that-may-be-new-to-scada/52401 "2017-08-01T13:02:10Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
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### Author: ![APD](https://d10gw3vjmzyp8.cloudfront.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/e99b99/32.png) [@APD](https://community.cambiumnetworks.com/u/APD)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2017, 1:02pm UTC](https://community.cambiumnetworks.com/t/a-few-tips-for-the-ip-expert-that-may-be-new-to-scada/52401/1 "2017-08-01T13:02:10Z")

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1.&nbsp; Most SCADA networks get a lot done with very limited bandwidth (28kbps is typical) by being thrifty with thier transmissions - only sending when there is a state change and strictly limiting polling.

2.&nbsp; A simple PING can starve a SCADA link.&nbsp; If you do use a PING to test a low Bandwidth link be sure and be patient.&nbsp; If you don't see responses with a standard PING, try using the "ping -w xxxx" command.&nbsp; The defualt for a ping is 4000, or 4 seconds.&nbsp; Try extending it and waiting longer.

3.&nbsp; Your Windows laptop with lots of defualt protocls turned on can starve a SCADA link.&nbsp; Windows by defualt wants to advertise and poll for lot so things that make it easy to share files, folders, printers, etc.&nbsp; All those that don't add up to much at all on your 100Mbps + home network can overwhelm a 28kpbs network.&nbsp; In this case using a very stripped down version of LINUX, like Puppy Linux that can be booted from a USB flash drive to do your configurations and testing can take a lot of the mystery out of the process.

4.&nbsp; If you are still not sure, use the tools built into the radios to test the circuit.

5.&nbsp; Remember that SCADA links by defualt have the best performance upstream, from the edge toward the core.&nbsp; This is by design but it is opposite the defualt performance of most broadband multipoint solutions like the PMP450 or the ePMP.&nbsp; Keep this in mind when evaluating performance.

It can be tough to get used to a low bandwidth world, but remember even the internet started for many with a 28kbps dial up connection.&nbsp; You can get a lot done with a low bandwith circuit, if you are smart about it.