11-25-2025 09:59 PM
Hey, reading through the datasheet for the Cisco 8000 Series Secure Routers. I keep seeing this reference to something called 'EMIX' when discussing security and threat related technologies and features.
See this article and Ctrl+F for 'EMIX' Cisco 8000 Series Secure Routers FAQ - Cisco
After lots of googling, I am unable to find anything conclusive about what it means.
If anyone could explain what it means, that would be awesome!
Solved! Go to Solution.
11-25-2025 11:26 PM
Hello @pittb ,
in datasheet context EMIX refers to a type of test traffic that should represent a typical mix of packets.
In the past specially software based routers the performance was highly dependent on packet size because of limitations on packets per second per direction.
if you find a performance data that says minimum packet size it refers to packets in 64 bytes Ethernet frames ( min Ethernet size)
EMIX should have an average size of 512 bytes similar to what we see in real networks ( where it is the result of long packets and small packets like TCP Ack or DNS queries/ replies and so on)
Hope to help
Giuseppe
11-26-2025 07:44 AM - edited 11-26-2025 03:20 PM
Ha, learned a new term. When I checked your reference, I thought it might have been a typo that IMIX was intended.
Anyway queried the Internet and my browser's AI summary provided:
EMix and iMix refer to different types of network traffic profiles used for performance testing. iMix, or Internet Mix, simulates typical Internet traffic patterns to evaluate network equipment performance under real-world conditions, while eMix is less commonly referenced and may not have a standardized definition.
Overview of eMix and iMix
eMix and iMix are both methodologies used to simulate network traffic for performance testing, but they differ in their applications and characteristics.
Key Differences
| Feature | eMix | iMix |
| Definition | A specific traffic mix used for testing | Internet Mix, representing typical Internet traffic |
| Purpose | Often used for specific application testing | Used to measure performance of network equipment like routers and firewalls |
| Packet Distribution | Customizable based on specific needs | Based on statistical sampling of real-world Internet traffic |
| Typical Use Case | Application performance testing | Network equipment performance evaluation |
| Packet Sizes | Can vary widely based on configuration | Standardized sizes, often including small and large packets |
Applications
eMix
Primarily used in environments where specific application behaviors need to be tested.
Allows for tailored traffic patterns to simulate particular scenarios.
iMix
Used by network equipment vendors to ensure devices can handle real-world traffic conditions.
Provides a more generalized view of how devices perform under typical Internet traffic loads.
Both methodologies are essential for different aspects of network performance testing, with iMix being more aligned with real-world Internet conditions.
11-25-2025 11:26 PM
Hello @pittb ,
in datasheet context EMIX refers to a type of test traffic that should represent a typical mix of packets.
In the past specially software based routers the performance was highly dependent on packet size because of limitations on packets per second per direction.
if you find a performance data that says minimum packet size it refers to packets in 64 bytes Ethernet frames ( min Ethernet size)
EMIX should have an average size of 512 bytes similar to what we see in real networks ( where it is the result of long packets and small packets like TCP Ack or DNS queries/ replies and so on)
Hope to help
Giuseppe
11-26-2025 07:44 AM - edited 11-26-2025 03:20 PM
Ha, learned a new term. When I checked your reference, I thought it might have been a typo that IMIX was intended.
Anyway queried the Internet and my browser's AI summary provided:
EMix and iMix refer to different types of network traffic profiles used for performance testing. iMix, or Internet Mix, simulates typical Internet traffic patterns to evaluate network equipment performance under real-world conditions, while eMix is less commonly referenced and may not have a standardized definition.
Overview of eMix and iMix
eMix and iMix are both methodologies used to simulate network traffic for performance testing, but they differ in their applications and characteristics.
Key Differences
| Feature | eMix | iMix |
| Definition | A specific traffic mix used for testing | Internet Mix, representing typical Internet traffic |
| Purpose | Often used for specific application testing | Used to measure performance of network equipment like routers and firewalls |
| Packet Distribution | Customizable based on specific needs | Based on statistical sampling of real-world Internet traffic |
| Typical Use Case | Application performance testing | Network equipment performance evaluation |
| Packet Sizes | Can vary widely based on configuration | Standardized sizes, often including small and large packets |
Applications
eMix
Primarily used in environments where specific application behaviors need to be tested.
Allows for tailored traffic patterns to simulate particular scenarios.
iMix
Used by network equipment vendors to ensure devices can handle real-world traffic conditions.
Provides a more generalized view of how devices perform under typical Internet traffic loads.
Both methodologies are essential for different aspects of network performance testing, with iMix being more aligned with real-world Internet conditions.
11-26-2025 06:45 PM
Thank you everyone for explaining that.
Have a good week!
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