RFC 3432 (rfc3432) - Page 1 of 23

Network performance measurement with periodic streams

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Network Working Group                                        V. Raisanen
Request for Comments: 3432                                         Nokia
Category: Standards Track                                   G. Grotefeld
                                                                Motorola
                                                               A. Morton
                                                               AT&T Labs
                                                           November 2002


         Network performance measurement with periodic streams

Status of this Memo

   This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
   Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
   improvements.  Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
   Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
   and status of this protocol.  Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2002).  All Rights Reserved.

Abstract

   This memo describes a periodic sampling method and relevant metrics
   for assessing the performance of IP networks.  First, the memo
   motivates periodic sampling and addresses the question of its value
   as an alternative to the Poisson sampling described in RFC 2330.  The
   benefits include applicability to active and passive measurements,
   simulation of constant bit rate (CBR) traffic (typical of multimedia
   communication, or nearly CBR, as found with voice activity
   detection), and several instances in which analysis can be
   simplified.  The sampling method avoids predictability by mandating
   random start times and finite length tests.  Following descriptions
   of the sampling method and sample metric parameters, measurement
   methods and errors are discussed.  Finally, we give additional
   information on periodic measurements, including security
   considerations.












Raisanen, et al.            Standards Track
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