Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a network performance metric in a network is described. The network includes a number of network elements and a number of links. Each of the network elements is coupled to at least one other of the network elements by at least one of the links. The method includes forming a first set of network element pairs, ordering a first number of network element pairs, forming a second set of network element pairs, measuring a measured network performance metric between a first network element pair and computing a computed network performance metric. The first set of network element pairs include a number of pairs of the network elements. The ordering of a first number of network element pairs includes network element pairs in the first set of network element pairs. The second set of network element pairs includes network element pairs in the first set of network element pairs. The measurement is taken between a first network element pair.

Abstract: A method of operating a fault tolerant connection in a network is described. The network includes a number of network elements and a number of links. Each of the network elements is coupled to at least one other of the network elements by at least one of the links. The method identifies a first path and a second path. The first path is between a first one of the network elements and a second one of the network elements, as is the second path. Moreover, the first path and the second path are disjoint. This disjointedness can be any difference between the two paths (e.g., any combination of different network elements or links). A packet is sent from the first one of the network elements via the first path, while a duplicate packet is sent from the first one of the network elements via the second path. The duplicate packet is a duplicate of the packet. Once these packets have been sent, at least one of the packet and the duplicate packet are received at the second one of the network elements.

Abstract: A delay measurement technique according to an embodiment according to the present invention is based on the precept, ascertained by the inventors, that a link between network nodes will often contribute to the delay encountered between several different pairs of network nodes. Such a technique identifies the path between each pair of nodes by a list of links that form the path. Paths that are orthogonal are treated as being necessary for describing the delays encountered between nodes, and, once the requisite set of orthogonal paths has been derived, all other paths can be described in terms of one or more of these orthogonal paths. Such a technique also lends itself to matrix representation of the paths, and the use of matrix manipulation techniques in deriving delay and jitter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a network performance metric in a network is described. The network includes a number of network elements and a number of links. Each of the network elements is coupled to at least one other of the network elements by at least one of the links. The method includes forming a first set of network element pairs, ordering a first number of network element pairs, forming a second set of network element pairs, measuring a measured network performance metric between a first network element pair and computing a computed network performance metric.

Abstract: A delay measurement technique according to an embodiment according to the present invention is based on the precept, ascertained by the inventors, that a link between network nodes will often contribute to the delay encountered between several different pairs of network nodes. Such a technique identifies the path between each pair of nodes by a list of links that form the path. Paths that are orthogonal are treated as being necessary for describing the delays encountered between nodes, and, once the requisite set of orthogonal paths has been derived, all other paths can be described in terms of one or more of these orthogonal paths. Such a technique also lends itself to matrix representation of the paths, and the use of matrix manipulation techniques in deriving delay and jitter.

Abstract: A delay measurement technique according to an embodiment according to the present invention is based on the precept, ascertained by the inventors, that a link between network nodes will often contribute to the delay encountered between several different pairs of network nodes. Such a technique identifies the path between each pair of nodes by a list of links that form the path. Paths that are orthogonal are treated as being necessary for describing the delays encountered between nodes, and, once the requisite set of orthogonal paths has been derived, all other paths can be described in terms of one or more of these orthogonal paths. Such a technique also lends itself to matrix representation of the paths, and the use of matrix manipulation techniques in deriving delay and jitter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for selecting a server that can provider content to a client in an optimal manner. A server selection system is coupled to a network node that can identify servers that can provide client reqeusted content. Performance metrics of the servers and their associated priorities are obtained. Servers with metrics that are worse than all the metrics of any other server are optionally eliminated from consideration for best server. Priorities for the metrics are obtained. The metric with the highest priority is applied to analyze the group of servers. The server with the best value for the metric and all servers with metric values falling within a significance window are retained. All others are eliminated from consideration. The other metrics are applied until no metrics remain or only one server remains. If no metrics remain, a best server is identified from the remaining group.

Abstract: A method of operating a fault tolerant connection in a network is described. The network includes a number of network elements and a number of links. Each of the network elements is coupled to at least one other of the network elements by at least one of the links. The method identifies a first path and a second path. The first path is between a first one of the network elements and a second one of the network elements, as is the second path. Moreover, the first path and the second path are disjoint. This disjointedness can be any difference between the two paths (e.g., any combination of different network elements or links). A packet is sent from the first one of the network elements via the first path, while a duplicate packet is sent from the first one of the network elements via the second path. The duplicate packet is a duplicate of the packet. Once these packets have been sent, at least one of the packet and the duplicate packet are received at the second one of the network elements.