Frequently Asked Questions

Network stress testing evaluates how your infrastructure handles high traffic loads and extreme conditions. It helps identify performance bottlenecks, capacity limits, and potential vulnerabilities before they impact real users. This is essential for ensuring your servers, APIs, and web applications can handle peak traffic.

Layer 4 (Transport Layer) testing targets network protocols like TCP and UDP. It tests raw network capacity and connection handling. Layer 7 (Application Layer) testing focuses on HTTP/HTTPS protocols, simulating real user requests to test web servers and APIs. Both methods are essential for comprehensive infrastructure testing.

Yes. We prioritize security and privacy. All authentication uses Argon2id, the most secure password hashing algorithm available. We use SHA256 lookup IDs for zero-knowledge identification, meaning we never store your actual credentials. Our strict zero-log policy ensures no test activity is ever recorded.

We support Layer 4 protocols (TCP with SYN/ACK/RST/FIN flag control, UDP, ICMP) and Layer 7 protocols (HTTP, HTTPS). Each protocol supports custom payloads, IP header manipulation, and advanced options like TCP window sets and option encoding.

IP stressing is only legal when you have explicit, written authorization from the owner of the target system. RETRO//STRESS is designed for security professionals testing their own infrastructure, DevOps teams validating capacity, and authorized penetration testing engagements. Unauthorized stress testing of systems you do not own or have permission to test is illegal in most jurisdictions and violates our Terms of Service.

The terms "IP stresser" and "IP booter" are often used interchangeably, but there is a distinction. A stresser is a legitimate tool for authorized load and stress testing of your own infrastructure to measure capacity and resilience. A "booter" historically referred to illegal DDoS-for-hire services. RETRO//STRESS is strictly a stress testing service for authorized use — you must own or have written permission to test any target.

Yes. Testing your own servers, websites, or network infrastructure is the primary legitimate use case for RETRO//STRESS. We recommend starting with the free Guest tier for small-scale tests, then upgrading to Starter or Elite for longer durations, multiple concurrent tests, and the full chain builder. Always test in a staging environment first and coordinate with your hosting provider.

Yes. Every new account gets the Guest tier for free, forever — including 60-second Layer 4 and Layer 7 tests with one concurrent slot and basic methods. This lets you evaluate the platform before committing. No credit card is required to sign up, and payments are crypto-only, so there is no auto-renewal or hidden subscription to cancel.

Chains are multi-step protocol simulations that replicate real network traffic patterns. Instead of simple packet floods, chains let you build sequences like TCP handshakes followed by TLS ClientHellos or application-specific requests. You can create chains manually with the visual editor or auto-generate them by importing PCAP files.

Use the desktop client to capture traffic, then export as PCAP. Upload the PCAP through the chain builder, and the system performs two-phase analysis: first detecting endpoints and identifying the server, then extracting the full packet sequence with protocol inference. The result is a ready-to-use chain.

There are five modes: Fanout (parallel packet dispatch), Scaled (progressive scaling), Rate (fixed-rate transmission), Timed (time-based sequencing), and Overlay (stacked protocol simulation). Each mode suits different testing scenarios.

The desktop client (available for Windows, macOS, and Linux) provides live packet capture from any network interface, process-to-connection mapping to identify which application generates traffic, PCAP export, chain creation, overlay mode for always-on-top control, and a favorites system for saved test configurations.

Yes, we have native apps for both Android and iOS. The mobile client lets you launch and monitor tests on the go, manage saved favorites, and receive push notifications about test status. Link your account through the web dashboard to get started.

RETRO//STRESS is available on four platforms: a web dashboard (any browser), desktop client (Windows, macOS, Linux), mobile apps (Android, iOS), and a CLI for headless/server environments. All platforms share the same backend API and account.

We accept major cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and Monero (XMR). Cryptocurrency payments provide fast, secure, and private transactions. All payments are processed instantly through our secure payment gateway.

Cryptocurrency payments are usually confirmed within 10-30 minutes depending on network congestion. Your account will be upgraded automatically once confirmed.

Due to the nature of our service, we do not offer refunds. However, we offer free trials for all plans - contact support to request one.

Yes, you can upgrade at any time. When you upgrade, you immediately gain access to the higher tier's features. Your new plan period starts from the upgrade date.

Make sure you're using the correct target format. For L4, use IP:PORT. For L7, use the full URL including https://. Also check if the target is using protection services.

API documentation is available in your dashboard. You'll need your API key which can be found in your account settings.

Our average response time is 2-4 hours. Urgent issues are prioritized. You can also reach us on Telegram for faster support.

API access is available on Starter plans and above. Generate an API key from your dashboard, then authenticate requests using Bearer tokens (Authorization header or X-API-Key header). The API lets you launch tests, stop tests, check status, manage chains, and more programmatically.

Scheduled testing is available on Elite and Enterprise plans. Set up tests to run automatically at specific times with full timezone support. This is useful for recurring stress tests during maintenance windows or off-peak hours.