Abstract: A path of a communication connection between a first node and a second node is determined. The path includes at least one connecting node. A first set of network performance data associated with the communication connection is obtained. Ones of a plurality of diagnostic rules is automatically evaluated based on the obtained first set of network performance data to identify a second set of network performance data to be collected.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for evaluating network performance. A path of a communication connection between a first node and a second node is determined. The path includes at least one connecting node. A first set of network performance data associated with the communication connection is obtained. Ones of a plurality of diagnostic rules is automatically evaluated based on the obtained first set of network performance data to identify a second set of network performance data to be collected.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for testing the performance of a communication network including a plurality of endpoint nodes executing application programs which utilize the communications network are provided. A console node is provided on the network which may initiate operations by test agents executing on one or more of the plurality of endpoint nodes. The agents may generate network performance information using passive application monitoring and/or active endpoint pair based network testing responsive to scheduling instructions from the console node. Specific application programs may be designated for passive monitoring and active test protocols may be provided based on an expected type of application communication traffic. In another aspect of the present invention, one of a plurality of types of transaction models defining the beginning and ending reference point for a transaction timing measurement may be provided to the endpoint nodes for use in passive application monitoring.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided which test network performance by defining test schedules including test protocols to be implemented and when the protocols should be executed for a plurality of defined connections on a network. A connection may be defined between two endpoint nodes on the network. At times specified in the test schedule, the endpoint node pair executes the test protocol and measures the performance of the network connection between the two nodes without requiring any involvement of application software which may or may not be installed on the computer hardware supporting the endpoint node. The test protocol may define the type of network layer protocol to utilize (for example, TCP), and the test script or scripts to be communicated using the appropriate stack on the computer hardware supporting the endpoint node.