NAT44ed: Add pure throuhput bidir tests

+ With ramp-up, without reset, with session verification.
+ Uses the same profile as pps tests.
+ Ramp up duration is not specified, as duration is computed.
+ Timeout tracking with automated ramp-up.
 + Correct computation of next duration.
 + Checking both early and late sessions.
 + No loss measurement also acts as a ramp-up.
+ Return ReceiveRateMeasurement from send_traffic_on_tg_internal,
  as that is needed for detecting whether trial is ok as ramp up.
- Udp needs quite low ramp-up rate after recent regression.
 - Max scale has higher rate (so failing) to avoid session timeouts.
+ Bump copyright year.

Change-Id: I50c928659cd5b985b490a2e5fb69c5cd790600b0
Signed-off-by: Vratko Polak <vrpolak@cisco.com>

5 files changed, 313 insertions, 71 deletions

diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/TrafficGenerator.py b/resources/libraries/python/TrafficGenerator.py
index 23337b2848..30be3b9eba 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/TrafficGenerator.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/TrafficGenerator.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Copyright (c) 2020 Cisco and/or its affiliates.
+# Copyright (c) 2021 Cisco and/or its affiliates.
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
 # you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
 # You may obtain a copy of the License at:
@@ -171,6 +171,11 @@ class TrafficGenerator(AbstractMeasurer):
         self.sleep_till_duration = None
         self.transaction_type = None
         self.duration_limit = None
+        self.ramp_up_start = None
+        self.ramp_up_stop = None
+        self.ramp_up_rate = None
+        self.ramp_up_duration = None
+        self.state_timeout = None
         # Transient data needed for async measurements.
         self._xstats = (None, None)
         # TODO: Rename "xstats" to something opaque, so T-Rex is not privileged?
@@ -404,12 +409,11 @@ class TrafficGenerator(AbstractMeasurer):
                     raise RuntimeError(u"Start TRex failed!")
 
                 # Test T-Rex API responsiveness.
-                cmd = u"python3"
-                cmd += f" {Constants.REMOTE_FW_DIR}/GPL/tools/trex/"
+                cmd = f"python3 {Constants.REMOTE_FW_DIR}/GPL/tools/trex/"
                 if osi_layer in (u"L2", u"L3"):
-                    cmd += f"trex_stl_assert.py"
+                    cmd += u"trex_stl_assert.py"
                 elif osi_layer == u"L7":
-                    cmd += f"trex_astf_assert.py"
+                    cmd += u"trex_astf_assert.py"
                 else:
                     raise ValueError(u"Unknown OSI layer!")
                 try:
@@ -523,7 +527,43 @@ class TrafficGenerator(AbstractMeasurer):
             raise ValueError(u"Unsupported T-Rex traffic profile!")
         self._stop_time = time.monotonic()
 
-        return self.get_measurement_result()
+        return self._get_measurement_result()
+
+    def _compute_duration(self, duration, multiplier):
+        """Compute duration for profile driver.
+
+        The final result is influenced by transaction scale and duration limit.
+        It is assumed a higher level function has already set those to self.
+        The duration argument is the target value from search point of view,
+        before the overrides are applied here.
+
+        Minus one (signalling async traffic start) is kept.
+
+        Completeness flag is also included. Duration limited or async trials
+        are not considered complete for ramp-up purposes.
+
+        :param duration: Time expressed in seconds for how long to send traffic.
+        :param multiplier: Traffic rate in transactions per second.
+        :type duration: float
+        :type multiplier: float
+        :returns: New duration and whether it was a complete ramp-up candidate.
+        :rtype: float, bool
+        """
+        if duration < 0.0:
+            # Keep the async -1.
+            return duration, False
+        computed_duration = duration
+        if self.transaction_scale:
+            computed_duration = self.transaction_scale / multiplier
+            # Log the computed duration,
+            # so we can compare with what telemetry suggests
+            # the real duration was.
+            logger.debug(f"Expected duration {computed_duration}")
+            computed_duration += 0.1115
+        if not self.duration_limit:
+            return computed_duration, True
+        limited_duration = min(computed_duration, self.duration_limit)
+        return limited_duration, (limited_duration == computed_duration)
 
     def trex_astf_start_remote_exec(
             self, duration, multiplier, async_call=False):
@@ -571,19 +611,9 @@ class TrafficGenerator(AbstractMeasurer):
         if not isinstance(duration, (float, int)):
             duration = float(duration)
 
-        # Duration logic.
-        computed_duration = duration
-        if duration > 0.0:
-            if self.transaction_scale:
-                computed_duration = self.transaction_scale / multiplier
-                # Log the computed duration,
-                # so we can compare with what telemetry suggests
-                # the real duration was.
-                logger.debug(f"Expected duration {computed_duration}")
-                computed_duration += 0.1115
-        # Else keep -1.
-        if self.duration_limit:
-            computed_duration = min(computed_duration, self.duration_limit)
+        # TODO: Refactor the code so duration is computed only once,
+        # and both the initial and the computed durations are logged.
+        computed_duration, _ = self._compute_duration(duration, multiplier)
 
         command_line = OptionString().add(u"python3")
         dirname = f"{Constants.REMOTE_FW_DIR}/GPL/tools/trex"
@@ -687,8 +717,10 @@ class TrafficGenerator(AbstractMeasurer):
         p_0, p_1 = (1, 0) if self._ifaces_reordered else (0, 1)
         if not isinstance(duration, (float, int)):
             duration = float(duration)
-        if self.duration_limit:
-            duration = min(duration, self.duration_limit)
+
+        # TODO: Refactor the code so duration is computed only once,
+        # and both the initial and the computed durations are logged.
+        duration, _ = self._compute_duration(duration=duration, multiplier=rate)
 
         command_line = OptionString().add(u"python3")
         dirname = f"{Constants.REMOTE_FW_DIR}/GPL/tools/trex"
@@ -755,6 +787,10 @@ class TrafficGenerator(AbstractMeasurer):
             transaction_type=u"packet",
             duration_limit=0.0,
             use_latency=False,
+            ramp_up_rate=None,
+            ramp_up_duration=None,
+            state_timeout=300.0,
+            ramp_up_only=False,
         ):
         """Send traffic from all configured interfaces on TG.
 
@@ -775,6 +811,8 @@ class TrafficGenerator(AbstractMeasurer):
 
         Bidirectional STL profiles are treated as transactions with two packets.
 
+        The return value is None for async.
+
         :param duration: Duration of test traffic generation in seconds.
         :param rate: Traffic rate in transactions per second.
         :param frame_size: Frame size (L2) in Bytes.
@@ -797,6 +835,10 @@ class TrafficGenerator(AbstractMeasurer):
             duration.
         :param use_latency: Whether to measure latency during the trial.
             Default: False.
+        :param ramp_up_rate: Rate to use in ramp-up trials [pps].
+        :param ramp_up_duration: Duration of ramp-up trials [s].
+        :param state_timeout: Time of life of DUT state [s].
+        :param ramp_up_only: If true, do not perform main trial measurement.
         :type duration: float
         :type rate: float
         :type frame_size: str
@@ -809,8 +851,12 @@ class TrafficGenerator(AbstractMeasurer):
         :type transaction_type: str
         :type duration_limit: float
         :type use_latency: bool
+        :type ramp_up_rate: float
+        :type ramp_up_duration: float
+        :type state_timeout: float
+        :type ramp_up_only: bool
         :returns: TG results.
-        :rtype: str
+        :rtype: ReceiveRateMeasurement or None
         :raises ValueError: If TG traffic profile is not supported.
         """
         self.set_rate_provider_defaults(
@@ -823,10 +869,19 @@ class TrafficGenerator(AbstractMeasurer):
             transaction_type=transaction_type,
             duration_limit=duration_limit,
             use_latency=use_latency,
+            ramp_up_rate=ramp_up_rate,
+            ramp_up_duration=ramp_up_duration,
+            state_timeout=state_timeout,
+        )
+        return self._send_traffic_on_tg_with_ramp_up(
+            duration=duration,
+            rate=rate,
+            async_call=async_call,
+            ramp_up_only=ramp_up_only,
         )
-        self._send_traffic_on_tg_internal(duration, rate, async_call)
 
-    def _send_traffic_on_tg_internal(self, duration, rate, async_call=False):
+    def _send_traffic_on_tg_internal(
+            self, duration, rate, async_call=False):
         """Send traffic from all configured interfaces on TG.
 
         This is an internal function, it assumes set_rate_provider_defaults
@@ -838,6 +893,9 @@ class TrafficGenerator(AbstractMeasurer):
         need to specify their own values, and we do not want the measure call
         to overwrite them with defaults.
 
+        This function is used both for automated ramp-up trials
+        and for explicitly called trials.
+
         :param duration: Duration of test traffic generation in seconds.
         :param rate: Traffic rate in transactions per second.
         :param async_call: Async mode.
@@ -845,7 +903,7 @@ class TrafficGenerator(AbstractMeasurer):
         :type rate: float
         :type async_call: bool
         :returns: TG results.
-        :rtype: str
+        :rtype: ReceiveRateMeasurement or None
         :raises ValueError: If TG traffic profile is not supported.
         """
         subtype = check_subtype(self._node)
@@ -863,7 +921,103 @@ class TrafficGenerator(AbstractMeasurer):
             else:
                 raise ValueError(u"Unsupported T-Rex traffic profile!")
 
-        return self._result
+        return None if async_call else self._get_measurement_result()
+
+    def _send_traffic_on_tg_with_ramp_up(
+            self, duration, rate, async_call=False, ramp_up_only=False):
+        """Send traffic from all interfaces on TG, maybe after ramp-up.
+
+        This is an internal function, it assumes set_rate_provider_defaults
+        has been called to remember most values.
+        The reason why need to remember various values is that
+        the traffic can be asynchronous, and parsing needs those values.
+        The reason why this is a separate function from the one
+        which calls set_rate_provider_defaults is that some search algorithms
+        need to specify their own values, and we do not want the measure call
+        to overwrite them with defaults.
+
+        If ramp-up tracking is detected, a computation is performed,
+        and if state timeout is near, trial at ramp-up rate and duration
+        is inserted before the main trial measurement.
+
+        The ramp_up_only parameter forces a ramp-up without immediate
+        trial measurement, which is useful in case self remembers
+        a previous ramp-up trial that belongs to a different test (phase).
+
+        Return None if trial is async or ramp-up only.
+
+        :param duration: Duration of test traffic generation in seconds.
+        :param rate: Traffic rate in transactions per second.
+        :param async_call: Async mode.
+        :param ramp_up_only: If true, do not perform main trial measurement.
+        :type duration: float
+        :type rate: float
+        :type async_call: bool
+        :type ramp_up_only: bool
+        :returns: TG results.
+        :rtype: ReceiveRateMeasurement or None
+        :raises ValueError: If TG traffic profile is not supported.
+        """
+        complete = False
+        if self.ramp_up_rate:
+            # Figure out whether we need to insert a ramp-up trial.
+            # TODO: Give up on async_call=True?
+            if self.ramp_up_start is None:
+                # We never ramped up yet.
+                ramp_up_needed = True
+            else:
+                # We ramped up before, but maybe it was too long ago.
+                # Adding a constant overhead to be safe.
+                time_now = time.monotonic() + 1.0
+                computed_duration, complete = self._compute_duration(
+                    duration=duration,
+                    multiplier=rate,
+                )
+                # There are two conditions for inserting ramp-up.
+                # If early sessions are expiring already,
+                # or if late sessions are to expire before measurement is over.
+                ramp_up_start_delay = time_now - self.ramp_up_start
+                ramp_up_stop_delay = time_now - self.ramp_up_stop
+                ramp_up_stop_delay += computed_duration
+                bigger_delay = max(ramp_up_start_delay, ramp_up_stop_delay)
+                # Final boolean decision.
+                ramp_up_needed = (bigger_delay >= self.state_timeout)
+            if ramp_up_needed:
+                logger.debug(
+                    u"State may time out during next real trial, "
+                    u"inserting a ramp-up trial."
+                )
+                self.ramp_up_start = time.monotonic()
+                self._send_traffic_on_tg_internal(
+                    duration=self.ramp_up_duration,
+                    rate=self.ramp_up_rate,
+                    async_call=async_call,
+                )
+                self.ramp_up_stop = time.monotonic()
+                logger.debug(u"Ramp-up done.")
+            else:
+                logger.debug(
+                    u"State will probably not time out during next real trial, "
+                    u"no ramp-up trial needed just yet."
+                )
+        if ramp_up_only:
+            return None
+        trial_start = time.monotonic()
+        result = self._send_traffic_on_tg_internal(
+            duration=duration,
+            rate=rate,
+            async_call=async_call,
+        )
+        trial_end = time.monotonic()
+        if self.ramp_up_rate:
+            # Optimization: No loss acts as a good ramp-up, if it was complete.
+            if complete and result is not None and result.loss_count == 0:
+                logger.debug(u"Good trial acts as a ramp-up")
+                self.ramp_up_start = trial_start
+                self.ramp_up_stop = trial_end
+            else:
+                logger.debug(u"Loss or incomplete, does not act as a ramp-up.")
+        return result
 
     def no_traffic_loss_occurred(self):
         """Fail if loss occurred in traffic run.
@@ -1030,7 +1184,7 @@ class TrafficGenerator(AbstractMeasurer):
                     self._l7_data[u"server"][u"tcp"][u"rx_bytes"] = \
                         int(self._result.get(u"server_tcp_rx_bytes", 0))
 
-    def get_measurement_result(self):
+    def _get_measurement_result(self):
         """Return the result of last measurement as ReceiveRateMeasurement.
 
         Separate function, as measurements can end either by time
@@ -1158,12 +1312,11 @@ class TrafficGenerator(AbstractMeasurer):
         time_stop = time_start + duration
         if self.resetter:
             self.resetter()
-        self._send_traffic_on_tg_internal(
+        result = self._send_traffic_on_tg_with_ramp_up(
             duration=duration,
             rate=transmit_rate,
             async_call=False,
         )
-        result = self.get_measurement_result()
         logger.debug(f"trial measurement result: {result!r}")
         # In PLRsearch, computation needs the specified time to complete.
         if self.sleep_till_duration:
@@ -1188,6 +1341,9 @@ class TrafficGenerator(AbstractMeasurer):
             negative_loss=True,
             sleep_till_duration=False,
             use_latency=False,
+            ramp_up_rate=None,
+            ramp_up_duration=None,
+            state_timeout=300.0,
         ):
         """Store values accessed by measure().
 
@@ -1216,6 +1372,9 @@ class TrafficGenerator(AbstractMeasurer):
             sleep until it matches duration. Needed for PLRsearch.
         :param use_latency: Whether to measure latency during the trial.
             Default: False.
+        :param ramp_up_rate: Rate to use in ramp-up trials [pps].
+        :param ramp_up_duration: Duration of ramp-up trials [s].
+        :param state_timeout: Time of life of DUT state [s].
         :type frame_size: str or int
         :type traffic_profile: str
         :type ppta: int
@@ -1228,6 +1387,9 @@ class TrafficGenerator(AbstractMeasurer):
         :type negative_loss: bool
         :type sleep_till_duration: bool
         :type use_latency: bool
+        :type ramp_up_rate: float
+        :type ramp_up_duration: float
+        :type state_timeout: float
         """
         self.frame_size = frame_size
         self.traffic_profile = str(traffic_profile)
@@ -1241,6 +1403,9 @@ class TrafficGenerator(AbstractMeasurer):
         self.negative_loss = bool(negative_loss)
         self.sleep_till_duration = bool(sleep_till_duration)
         self.use_latency = bool(use_latency)
+        self.ramp_up_rate = float(ramp_up_rate)
+        self.ramp_up_duration = float(ramp_up_duration)
+        self.state_timeout = float(state_timeout)
 
 
 class OptimizedSearch:
@@ -1270,6 +1435,9 @@ class OptimizedSearch:
             transaction_scale=0,
             transaction_type=u"packet",
             use_latency=False,
+            ramp_up_rate=None,
+            ramp_up_duration=None,
+            state_timeout=300.0,
     ):
         """Setup initialized TG, perform optimized search, return intervals.
 
@@ -1312,6 +1480,9 @@ class OptimizedSearch:
             transactions. Default: "packet".
         :param use_latency: Whether to measure latency during the trial.
             Default: False.
+        :param ramp_up_rate: Rate to use in ramp-up trials [pps].
+        :param ramp_up_duration: Duration of ramp-up trials [s].
+        :param state_timeout: Time of life of DUT state [s].
         :type frame_size: str or int
         :type traffic_profile: str
         :type minimum_transmit_rate: float
@@ -1330,6 +1501,9 @@ class OptimizedSearch:
         :type transaction_scale: int
         :type transaction_type: str
         :type use_latency: bool
+        :type ramp_up_rate: float
+        :type ramp_up_duration: float
+        :type state_timeout: float
         :returns: Structure containing narrowed down NDR and PDR intervals
             and their measurements.
         :rtype: NdrPdrResult
@@ -1347,7 +1521,7 @@ class OptimizedSearch:
             initial_trial_duration = 1.0
             final_trial_duration = 2.0
             number_of_intermediate_phases = 0
-            timeout = 3600.0
+            timeout += transaction_scale * 3e-4
         tg_instance.set_rate_provider_defaults(
             frame_size=frame_size,
             traffic_profile=traffic_profile,
@@ -1359,6 +1533,9 @@ class OptimizedSearch:
             transaction_scale=transaction_scale,
             transaction_type=transaction_type,
             use_latency=use_latency,
+            ramp_up_rate=ramp_up_rate,
+            ramp_up_duration=ramp_up_duration,
+            state_timeout=state_timeout,
         )
         algorithm = MultipleLossRatioSearch(
             measurer=tg_instance,
@@ -1394,6 +1571,9 @@ class OptimizedSearch:
             transaction_scale=0,
             transaction_type=u"packet",
             use_latency=False,
+            ramp_up_rate=None,
+            ramp_up_duration=None,
+            state_timeout=300.0,
     ):
         """Setup initialized TG, perform soak search, return avg and stdev.
 
@@ -1430,6 +1610,9 @@ class OptimizedSearch:
             transactions. Default: "packet".
         :param use_latency: Whether to measure latency during the trial.
             Default: False.
+        :param ramp_up_rate: Rate to use in ramp-up trials [pps].
+        :param ramp_up_duration: Duration of ramp-up trials [s].
+        :param state_timeout: Time of life of DUT state [s].
         :type frame_size: str or int
         :type traffic_profile: str
         :type minimum_transmit_rate: float
@@ -1445,6 +1628,9 @@ class OptimizedSearch:
         :type transaction_scale: int
         :type transaction_type: str
         :type use_latency: bool
+        :type ramp_up_rate: float
+        :type ramp_up_duration: float
+        :type state_timeout: float
         :returns: Average and stdev of estimated aggregate rate giving PLR.
         :rtype: 2-tuple of float
         """
@@ -1455,6 +1641,8 @@ class OptimizedSearch:
         # TODO: Move to robot code? We have a single call site
         #       but MLRsearch has two and we want the two to be used similarly.
         if transaction_scale:
+            # TODO: What is a good value for max scale?
+            # TODO: Scale the timeout with transaction scale.
             timeout = 7200.0
         tg_instance.set_rate_provider_defaults(
             frame_size=frame_size,
@@ -1468,6 +1656,9 @@ class OptimizedSearch:
             transaction_scale=transaction_scale,
             transaction_type=transaction_type,
             use_latency=use_latency,
+            ramp_up_rate=ramp_up_rate,
+            ramp_up_duration=ramp_up_duration,
+            state_timeout=state_timeout,
         )
         algorithm = PLRsearch(
             measurer=tg_instance,
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/autogen/Regenerator.py b/resources/libraries/python/autogen/Regenerator.py
index dd2672bd7c..a8de34ff7e 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/autogen/Regenerator.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/autogen/Regenerator.py
@@ -156,7 +156,11 @@ def add_default_testcases(testcase, iface, suite_id, file_out, tc_kwargs_list):
                 emit = False
             if kwargs[u"frame_size"] not in MIN_FRAME_SIZE_VALUES:
                 emit = False
-        if u"-cps-" in suite_id or u"-pps-" in suite_id:
+        if (
+            u"-cps-" in suite_id
+            or u"-pps-" in suite_id
+            or u"-tput-" in suite_id
+        ):
             if kwargs[u"frame_size"] not in MIN_FRAME_SIZE_VALUES:
                 emit = False
         if emit:
diff --git a/resources/libraries/robot/ip/nat.robot b/resources/libraries/robot/ip/nat.robot
index 75b8cce7b6..202ade34a5 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/robot/ip/nat.robot
+++ b/resources/libraries/robot/ip/nat.robot
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Copyright (c) 2020 Cisco and/or its affiliates.
+# Copyright (c) 2021 Cisco and/or its affiliates.
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
 # you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
 # You may obtain a copy of the License at:
@@ -57,8 +57,8 @@
 | | ... | ${dut1} | ${DUT1_${int}1}[0] | ${DUT1_${int}2}[0]
 | | ${resetter} = | Set NAT44 Address Range
 | | ... | ${dut1} | ${out_net} | ${out_net_end}
-| | ${ramp_up_duration} = | Get Ramp Up Duration
-| | Return From Keyword If | ${ramp_up_duration}
+| | ${ramp_up_rate} = | Get Ramp Up Rate
+| | Return From Keyword If | ${ramp_up_rate}
 | | Set Test Variable | \${resetter}
 
 # TODO: Remove when 'ip4.Initialize IPv4 forwarding in circular topology' KW
@@ -221,8 +221,8 @@
 | |
 | | ${resetter} = | Set DET44 Mapping
 | | ... | ${node} | ${ip_in} | ${subnet_in} | ${ip_out} | ${subnet_out}
-| | ${ramp_up_duration} = | Get Ramp Up Duration
-| | Return From Keyword If | ${ramp_up_duration}
+| | ${ramp_up_rate} = | Get Ramp Up Rate
+| | Return From Keyword If | ${ramp_up_rate}
 | | Set Test Variable | \${resetter}
 
 | Initialize NAT44 deterministic mode in circular topology
diff --git a/resources/libraries/robot/performance/performance_utils.robot b/resources/libraries/robot/performance/performance_utils.robot
index 9a1de5cc77..638a834fc1 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/robot/performance/performance_utils.robot
+++ b/resources/libraries/robot/performance/performance_utils.robot
@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@
 | | ... | \| Clear and show runtime counters with running traffic \|
 | |
 | | ${ppta} = | Get Packets Per Transaction Aggregated
+| | ${ramp_up_duration} = | Get Ramp Up Duration
+| | ${ramp_up_rate} = | Get Ramp Up Rate
 | | ${runtime_duration} = | Get Runtime Duration
 | | ${runtime_rate} = | Get Runtime Rate
 | | ${traffic_directions} = | Get Traffic Directions
@@ -72,6 +74,8 @@
 | | ... | transaction_scale=${transaction_scale}
 | | ... | transaction_type=${transaction_type}
 | | ... | duration_limit=${0.0}
+| | ... | ramp_up_duration=${ramp_up_duration}
+| | ... | ramp_up_rate=${ramp_up_rate}
 | | FOR | ${action} | IN | @{pre_run_stats}
 | | | Run Keyword | Additional Statistics Action For ${action}
 | | END
@@ -89,7 +93,6 @@
 | | ... | Fail if computed lower bound is 110% of the minimal rate or less.
 | | ... | Input rates are unidirectional, in transaction per second.
 | | ... | Reported result may contain aggregate pps rates, depending on test.
-| | ... | Currently, the min_rate value is hardcoded to match test teardowns.
 | | ... | Call \${resetter} (if defined) to reset DUT state before each trial.
 | |
 | | ... | *Test (or broader scope) variables read:*
@@ -106,8 +109,10 @@
 | |
 | | # Get values via performance_vars.
 | | ${max_rate} = | Get Max Rate
-| | ${min_rate} = | Get Min Rate
+| | ${min_rate_soft} = | Get Min Rate Soft
 | | ${ppta} = | Get Packets Per Transaction Aggregated
+| | ${ramp_up_duration} = | Get Ramp Up Duration
+| | ${ramp_up_rate} = | Get Ramp Up Rate
 | | ${resetter} = | Get Resetter
 | | ${traffic_directions} = | Get Traffic Directions
 | | ${transaction_duration} = | Get Transaction Duration
@@ -117,7 +122,7 @@
 | | ${average} | ${stdev} = | Perform soak search
 | | ... | frame_size=${frame_size}
 | | ... | traffic_profile=${traffic_profile}
-| | ... | minimum_transmit_rate=${min_rate}
+| | ... | minimum_transmit_rate=${min_rate_soft}
 | | ... | maximum_transmit_rate=${max_rate}
 | | ... | plr_target=${1e-7}
 | | ... | tdpt=${0.1}
@@ -131,11 +136,13 @@
 | | ... | transaction_duration=${transaction_duration}
 | | ... | transaction_type=${transaction_type}
 | | ... | use_latency=${use_latency}
+| | ... | ramp_up_duration=${ramp_up_duration}
+| | ... | ramp_up_rate=${ramp_up_rate}
 | | ${lower} | ${upper} = | Display result of soak search
 | | ... | ${average} | ${stdev}
 | | Set Test Variable | \${rate for teardown} | ${lower}
-| | Should Not Be True | 1.1 * ${min_rate} > ${lower}
-| | ... | Lower bound ${lower} too small for unidirectional minimum ${min_rate}.
+| | Should Not Be True | 1.1 * ${min_rate_soft} > ${lower}
+| | ... | Lower bound ${lower} too small for unidir minimum ${min_rate_soft}.
 
 | Find NDR and PDR intervals using optimized search
 | | [Documentation]
@@ -149,9 +156,6 @@
 | | ... | even if latency stream is disabled in search. Their results
 | | ... | are also displayed.
 | | ... | Finally, two measurements for runtime stats are done (not displayed).
-| | ... | Currently, the min_rate value is hardcoded to 90kpps,
-| | ... | allowing measurement at 10% of the discovered rate
-| | ... | without breaking latency streams.
 | | ... | Call \${resetter} (if defined) to reset DUT state before each trial.
 | |
 | | ... | *Test (or broader scope) variables read:*
@@ -175,10 +179,12 @@
 | | # Get values via performance_vars.
 | | ${disable_latency} = | Get Disable Latency
 | | ${max_rate} = | Get Max Rate
-| | ${min_rate} = | Get Min Rate
+| | ${min_rate_soft} = | Get Min Rate Soft
 | | # \${packet_loss_ratio} is used twice so it is worth a variable.
 | | ${packet_loss_ratio} = | Get Packet Loss Ratio
 | | ${ppta} = | Get Packets Per Transaction Aggregated
+| | ${ramp_up_duration} = | Get Ramp Up Duration
+| | ${ramp_up_rate} = | Get Ramp Up Rate
 | | ${resetter} = | Get Resetter
 | | ${traffic_directions} = | Get Traffic Directions
 | | ${transaction_duration} = | Get Transaction Duration
@@ -188,7 +194,7 @@
 | | ${result} = | Perform optimized ndrpdr search
 | | ... | frame_size=${frame_size}
 | | ... | traffic_profile=${traffic_profile}
-| | ... | minimum_transmit_rate=${min_rate}
+| | ... | minimum_transmit_rate=${min_rate_soft}
 | | ... | maximum_transmit_rate=${max_rate}
 | | ... | packet_loss_ratio=${packet_loss_ratio}
 | | ... | final_relative_width=${0.005}
@@ -204,6 +210,8 @@
 | | ... | transaction_scale=${transaction_scale}
 | | ... | transaction_type=${transaction_type}
 | | ... | use_latency=${use_latency}
+| | ... | ramp_up_duration=${ramp_up_duration}
+| | ... | ramp_up_rate=${ramp_up_rate}
 | | Display result of NDRPDR search | ${result}
 | | Check NDRPDR interval validity | ${result.pdr_interval}
 | | ... | ${packet_loss_ratio}
@@ -238,7 +246,6 @@
 | | ... | Find and return lower bound NDR (zero PLR)
 | | ... | throughput using MLRsearch algorithm.
 | | ... | Input and output rates are understood as uni-directional, in tps.
-| | ... | Currently, the min_rate value is hardcoded to match test teardowns.
 | | ... | Call \${resetter} (if defined) to reset DUT state before each trial.
 | |
 | | ... | *Test (or broader scope) variables read:*
@@ -262,8 +269,10 @@
 | | ... | \| \${throughpt}= \| Find Throughput Using MLRsearch \|
 | |
 | | ${max_rate} = | Get Max Rate
-| | ${min_rate} = | Get Min Rate
+| | ${min_rate_soft} = | Get Min Rate Soft
 | | ${ppta} = | Get Packets Per Transaction Aggregated
+| | ${ramp_up_duration} = | Get Ramp Up Duration
+| | ${ramp_up_rate} = | Get Ramp Up Rate
 | | ${resetter} = | Get Resetter
 | | ${traffic_directions} = | Get Traffic Directions
 | | ${transaction_duration} = | Get Transaction Duration
@@ -273,7 +282,7 @@
 | | ${result} = | Perform optimized ndrpdr search
 | | ... | frame_size=${frame_size}
 | | ... | traffic_profile=${traffic_profile}
-| | ... | minimum_transmit_rate=${min_rate}
+| | ... | minimum_transmit_rate=${min_rate_soft}
 | | ... | maximum_transmit_rate=${max_rate}
 | | ... | packet_loss_ratio=${0.0}
 | | ... | final_relative_width=${0.001}
@@ -289,6 +298,8 @@
 | | ... | transaction_scale=${transaction_scale}
 | | ... | transaction_type=${transaction_type}
 | | ... | use_latency=${use_latency}
+| | ... | ramp_up_duration=${ramp_up_duration}
+| | ... | ramp_up_rate=${ramp_up_rate}
 | | Check NDRPDR interval validity | ${result.pdr_interval}
 | | ... | ${0.0}
 | | Return From Keyword | ${result.pdr_interval.measured_low.target_tr}
@@ -313,9 +324,11 @@
 | |
 | | [Arguments] | ${message_prefix} | ${rate}
 | |
-| | ${min_rate} = | Get Min Rate
+| | ${min_rate_hard} = | Get Min Rate Hard
 | | ${ppta} = | Get Packets Per Transaction Aggregated
-| | ${real_rate} = | Evaluate | max(${rate}, ${min_rate})
+| | ${ramp_up_duration} = | Get Ramp Up Duration
+| | ${ramp_up_rate} = | Get Ramp Up Rate
+| | ${real_rate} = | Evaluate | max(${rate}, ${min_rate_hard})
 | | ${traffic_directions} = | Get Traffic Directions
 | | ${transaction_duration} = | Get Transaction Duration
 | | ${transaction_scale} = | Get Transaction Scale
@@ -334,12 +347,14 @@
 | | ... | transaction_scale=${transaction_scale}
 | | ... | transaction_type=${transaction_type}
 | | ... | use_latency=${True}
+| | ... | ramp_up_duration=${ramp_up_duration}
+| | ... | ramp_up_rate=${ramp_up_rate}
 | | ${latency} = | Get Latency Int
 | | Set Test Message | ${\n}${message_prefix} ${latency} | append=${True}
 
 | Send ramp-up traffic
 | | [Documentation]
-| | ... | Do nothing unless positive ramp-up duration is specified.
+| | ... | Fail unless positive ramp-up rate is specified.
 | | ... | Else perform one trial with appropriate rate and duration.
 | | ... | This is useful for tests that set DUT state via traffic.
 | | ... | Rate has to bee low enough so packets are not lost,
@@ -362,9 +377,9 @@
 | |
 | | ... | \| Send ramp-up traffic \|
 | |
-| | ${ramp_up_duration} = | Get Ramp Up Duration
-| | Run Keyword Unless | ${ramp_up_duration} > 0.0 | Return From Keyword
 | | ${ramp_up_rate} = | Get Ramp Up Rate
+| | Run Keyword Unless | ${ramp_up_rate} > 0.0 | Fail | Ramp up rate missing!
+| | ${ramp_up_duration} = | Get Ramp Up Duration
 | | ${ppta} = | Get Packets Per Transaction Aggregated
 | | ${traffic_directions} = | Get Traffic Directions
 | | ${transaction_duration} = | Get Transaction Duration
@@ -384,6 +399,9 @@
 | | ... | transaction_duration=${transaction_duration}
 | | ... | transaction_scale=${transaction_scale}
 | | ... | transaction_type=${transaction_type}
+| | ... | ramp_up_duration=${ramp_up_duration}
+| | ... | ramp_up_rate=${ramp_up_rate}
+| | ... | ramp_up_only=${True}
 
 | Send traffic at specified rate
 | | [Documentation]
@@ -413,6 +431,8 @@
 | | ... | ${use_latency}=${False} | ${duration_limit}=${0.0}
 | |
 | | ${ppta} = | Get Packets Per Transaction Aggregated
+| | ${ramp_up_duration} = | Get Ramp Up Duration
+| | ${ramp_up_rate} = | Get Ramp Up Rate
 | | ${traffic_directions} = | Get Traffic Directions
 | | ${transaction_duration} = | Get Transaction Duration
 | | ${transaction_scale} = | Get Transaction Scale
@@ -424,7 +444,7 @@
 | | ${results} = | Create List
 | | FOR | ${i} | IN RANGE | ${trial_multiplicity}
 | | | Call Resetter
-| | | Send traffic on tg
+| | | ${result}= | Send traffic on tg
 | | | ... | duration=${trial_duration}
 | | | ... | rate=${rate}
 | | | ... | frame_size=${frame_size}
@@ -437,7 +457,8 @@
 | | | ... | transaction_scale=${transaction_scale}
 | | | ... | transaction_type=${transaction_type}
 | | | ... | use_latency=${use_latency}
-| | | ${result}= | Get Measurement Result
+| | | ... | ramp_up_duration=${ramp_up_duration}
+| | | ... | ramp_up_rate=${ramp_up_rate}
 | | | # Out of several quantities for aborted traffic (duration stretching),
 | | | # the approximated receive rate is the best estimate we have.
 | | | Append To List | ${results} | ${result.approximated_receive_rate}
@@ -625,6 +646,8 @@
 | | [Arguments] | ${rate}
 | |
 | | ${ppta} = | Get Packets Per Transaction Aggregated
+| | ${ramp_up_duration} = | Get Ramp Up Duration
+| | ${ramp_up_rate} = | Get Ramp Up Rate
 | | ${traffic_directions} = | Get Traffic Directions
 | | ${transaction_duration} = | Get Transaction Duration
 | | ${transaction_scale} = | Get Transaction Scale
@@ -640,11 +663,14 @@
 | | ... | async_call=${True}
 | | ... | duration_limit=${0.0}
 | | ... | ppta=${ppta}
+| | ... | ramp_up_duration=${ramp_up_duration}
+| | ... | ramp_up_rate=${ramp_up_rate}
 | | ... | traffic_directions=${traffic_directions}
 | | ... | transaction_duration=${transaction_duration}
 | | ... | transaction_scale=${transaction_scale}
 | | ... | transaction_type=${transaction_type}
 | | ... | use_latency=${use_latency}
+| | # TODO: Ramp-up?
 
 | Stop Running Traffic
 | | [Documentation]
diff --git a/resources/libraries/robot/performance/performance_vars.robot b/resources/libraries/robot/performance/performance_vars.robot
index 4a6d385363..9fff489279 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/robot/performance/performance_vars.robot
+++ b/resources/libraries/robot/performance/performance_vars.robot
@@ -60,25 +60,46 @@
 | | Return From Keyword If | ${max_rate} | ${max_rate}
 | | Fail | \${max_rate} is not defined. Call Set Max Rate And Jumbo keyword.
 
-| Get Min Rate
+| Get Min Rate Hard
 | | [Documentation]
-| | ... | Return a hardcoded value. This is an abstraction, useful in case
-| | ... | we start allowing various other overrides or computations.
-| | ... | Call this just before calling a Python keyword,
-| | ... | as those have restricted access to Robot variables.
-| |
-| | ... | The return value controls the minimal unidirectional packet rate.
-| | ... | The value is also usable for minimal TPS value for ASTF tests.
+| | ... | Return a hardcoded value.
+| | ... | The return value controls the minimal unidirectional packet rate,
+| | ... | to be used anywhere, including latency measurements at 0% load.
 | | ... | The current value is the smallest one permitted
 | | ... | by STL profiles with latency streams.
 | | ... | Return type: float.
 | |
 | | ... | *Example:*
 | |
-| | ... | \| \${min_rate} = \| Get Min Rate \|
+| | ... | \| \${min_rate_hard} = \| Get Min Rate Hard \|
 | |
 | | Return From Keyword | ${9001.0}
 
+| Get Min Rate Soft
+| | [Documentation]
+| | ... | If ramp up rate is not defined, return the hard min value.
+| | ... | If ramp up rate is defined (and larger than hard min), return that.
+| | ... | The reason is, ramp up rate should already guarantee no loss.
+| |
+| | ... | The return value controls the minimal unidirectional packet rate,
+| | ... | to be used in various search algorithms.
+| | ... | Latency measurements may want even lower loads, use hard min for that.
+| |
+| | ... | The value is also usable for minimal TPS value for ASTF tests.
+| | ... | Return type: float.
+| |
+| | ... | Currently, undefined ramp up rate is reported as zero,
+| | ... | so we return the maximum of ramp up rate and the hard min rate.
+| |
+| | ... | *Example:*
+| |
+| | ... | \| \${min_rate_soft} = \| Get Min Rate Soft \|
+| |
+| | ${min_rate_hard} = | Get Min Rate Hard
+| | ${ramp_up_rate} = | Get Ramp Up Rate
+| | ${min_rate_soft} = | Evaluate | max(${ramp_up_rate}, ${min_rate_hard})
+| | Return From Keyword | ${min_rate_soft}
+
 | Get Mrr Trial Duration
 | | [Documentation]
 | | ... | Return value from Constants. This is an abstraction, useful in case
@@ -179,7 +200,7 @@
 | |
 | | ... | The return value determines the required duration of ramp-up phase.
 | | ... | Typically used to prepare a specific state on DUT.
-| | ... | If the value is zero, ramp-up phase is skipped.
+| | ... | If the value is zero, ramp-up phase is either skipped or size-limited.
 | | ... | Return type: float.
 | |
 | | ... | *Example:*
@@ -192,12 +213,13 @@
 | Get Ramp Up Rate
 | | [Documentation]
 | | ... | Return value of \${ramp_up_rate},
-| | ... | if not defined return \${max_rate}.
+| | ... | if not defined, return zero.
 | |
 | | ... | The return value determines the rate for ramp-up phase.
 | | ... | Typically used to limit the rate when max rate
 | | ... | would lose packets in the ramp up phase, thus not setting
 | | ... | the DUT state correctly.
+| | ... | If the value is zero, ramp-up phase should be skipped.
 | | ... | Return type: float.
 | |
 | | ... | *Example:*
@@ -205,13 +227,12 @@
 | | ... | \| \${ramp_up_rate} = \| Get Ramp Up Rate \|
 | |
 | | ${ramp_up_rate} = | Get Variable Value | \${ramp_up_rate} | ${0.0}
-| | Return From Keyword If | ${ramp_up_rate} | ${ramp_up_rate}
-| | Run Keyword And Return | Get Max Rate
+| | Return From Keyword | ${ramp_up_rate}
 
 | Get Rate For Teardown
 | | [Documentation]
 | | ... | Return value of \${rate_for_teardown},
-| | ... | if not defined (or zero) return the min rate.
+| | ... | if not defined (or zero) return the soft min rate.
 | |
 | | ... | The return value determines the rate for teardown trial,
 | | ... | that is executed if a perf test fails.
@@ -226,7 +247,7 @@
 | |
 | | ${rate_for_teardown} = | Get Variable Value | \${rate_for_teardown} | ${0.0}
 | | Return From Keyword If | ${rate_for_teardown} | ${rate_for_teardown}
-| | Run Keyword And Return | Get Min Rate
+| | Run Keyword And Return | Get Min Rate Soft
 
 | Get Resetter
 | | [Documentation]