Abstract: A node (20, 20-2) of a packet switching network has a chain of processing units (30) through which a media stream of packets is routed for sequentially processing of each packet of the media stream. Each of the plural processing units of the chain generates an intra-node performance monitoring packet, and sends the intra-node performance monitoring packet to a performance monitoring unit (40) situated at the node. Each intra-node performance monitoring packet includes an indication of time spent by the packet of the media stream in the respective processing unit. The performance monitoring unit provides an indication of delay in the node for the media stream, e.g., the delay experienced at each processing unit of the chain and the overall delay for a packet of the media stream through the plural processing units comprising the processing chain of the node.

Abstract: In a method of running a processor for high performance operation in a communication network one function of the processor is a calculation using an algorithm. The function can include calculation for each of a plurality channels. In situations, when there is not available processor capacity to perform the calculation function for each channel, the quality of the algorithm is degraded in a controlled manner to decrease the amount of necessary calculations so that more channels can be handled. The quality of the algorithm is degraded by dividing the algorithm into subfunctions and by performing only some of the subfunctions in said situations when momentary calculation peak exist.

Abstract: A node (20, 20-2) of a packet switching network has a chain of processing units (30) through which a media stream of packets is routed for sequentially processing of each packet of the media stream. Each of the plural processing units of the chain generates an intra-node performance monitoring packet, and sends the intra-node performance monitoring packet to a performance monitoring unit (40) situated at the node. Each intra-node performance monitoring packet includes an indication of time spent by the packet of the media stream in the respective processing unit. The performance monitoring unit provides an indication of delay in the node for the media stream, e.g., the delay experienced at each processing unit of the chain and the overall delay for a packet of the media stream through the plural processing units comprising the processing chain of the node.

Abstract: In a method of running a processor for high performance operation in a communication network one function of the processor is a calculation using an algorithm. The function can include calculation for each of a plurality channels. In situations, when there is not available processor capacity to perform the calculation function for each channel, the quality of the algorithm is degraded in a controlled manner to decrease the amount of necessary calculations so that more channels can be handled. The quality of the algorithm is degraded by dividing the algorithm into subfunctions and by performing only some of the subfunctions in said situations when momentary calculation peak exist.