Abstract: Embodiment of the present invention relate to methods of traffic measurement on a network. In some embodiments, the methods include obtaining a measure of shaped traffic before shaping using reference packets injected onto the network at a first location (prior to shaping). The methods may further include measuring the traffic on the network at a second location (after shaping) and using the reference packets for timing purposes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may relate to methods of traffic measurement on a network. In some embodiments, the methods may include obtaining a measure of shaped traffic before shaping on the basis of passive traffic observations of the shaped traffic. In one embodiment, the method may include analysing a traffic aggregate of packets in a network comprising: separating the traffic aggregate into a series of individual co-temporal sub-aggregates; and performing a measurement using the individual sub-aggregates of the series to obtain a statistical measure for the traffic aggregate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for estimating the effective bandwidth on-line at a node in a communications network. The invention works by measuring the effective bandwidth and the mean rate of traffic flow for an identified type of traffic flow off-line, defining a relationship between the two measured values and storing the relationship in a database of relationships for different identifiable types of traffic flow off-line. A type of traffic flow or group of flows is identified on-line from which the mean rate of traffic flow is measured on-line which is a relatively simple measurement to make. From the database of relationships a relationship is obtained from which the effective bandwidth is estimated for the traffic flow or flows on-line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for estimating the effective bandwidth on-line at a node in a communications network. The invention works by measuring the effective bandwidth and the mean rate of traffic flow for an identified type of traffic flow off-line, defining a relationship between the two measured values and storing the relationship in a database of relationships for different identifiable types of traffic flow off-line. A type of traffic flow or group of flows is identified on-line from which the mean rate of traffic flow is measured on-line which is a relatively simple measurement to make. From the database of relationships a relationship is obtained from which the effective bandwidth is estimated for the traffic flow or flows on-line. This is the simplest operation of the invention. The invention further discloses means for incorporating loss ratio and delays in the estimation of the effective bandwidth on-line.