Abstract: Network testing is conducted using a pair of traffic agents that acts as sender and receiver endpoints. The sending traffic agent generates and transmits a stream of packet batches, each batch being composed of high and low priority packets in a predetermined sending order. The receiving traffic agent analyzes the order of packet arrival in the stream relative to the sending order, and returns results to a traffic control module. Path speed and the priority classification of the traffic are parameters used to configure the tests. The tests are typically run periodically under different load conditions in order to evaluate the effects of other traffic being concurrently transiting the network.

Abstract: A method for testing a communication network includes transmitting a flow of test packets over a path through the network. The flow includes a series of bursts of the test packets separated by intervals having an interval duration, each burst comprising a sequence of the test packets and having a burst duration less than the interval duration. Arrival characteristics of the test packets in the flow are measured at a receiving end of the path. The arrival characteristics include at least one of a packet loss characteristic, a packet delay characteristic, and a packet jitter characteristic. A quality defect in the network is detected based on the measured arrival characteristics.

Abstract: Network testing is conducted using a pair of traffic agents that acts as sender and receiver endpoints. The sending traffic agent generates and transmits a stream of packet batches, each batch being composed of high and low priority packets in a predetermined sending order. The receiving traffic agent analyzes the order of packet arrival in the stream relative to the sending order, and returns results to a traffic control module. Path speed and the priority classification of the traffic are parameters used to configure the tests. The tests are typically run periodically under different load conditions in order to evaluate the effects of other traffic being concurrently transiting the network.

Abstract: A method for testing of a communication network having a plurality of end-points, using one or more network agents coupled to the network at respective locations. The method includes specifying at least one packet filtering criterion, and transmitting one or more data packets meeting the at least one criterion through the network from one of the end-point to another. At least one of the data packets meeting the criterion is intercepted using the network agents at one or more of the respective locations in the network traversed by the at least one of the data packets. Information regarding the at least one intercepted packet at the one or more respective locations is recorded and processed to analyze a route of the at least one intercepted packet through the network.

Abstract: A method for network service diagnostics includes receiving a request from a user of a computer for assistance in an activity performed by the computer. Responsive to the request, an executable program module is downloaded to the computer over a communication network, which module, when run by the computer, causes the computer to perform a diagnostic operation including sending one or more messages over the network. The messages sent by the computer while the computer is running the module are received and processed, in order to extract diagnostic information from the messages so as to diagnose a problem in the activity performed by the computer.