Abstract: A network performance monitoring system uses a plurality of user modules, each user operating on a unique user machine coupled to one or more provider servers and an experience test server for collecting data from the plurality of user modules. The collected data includes at least one performance datum relating to user experience with a link from the user machine to the provider server. The system also cleanses the collected data to account for variable user configurations, user errors and the like.

Abstract: Promiscuous probes are inserted at various locations in a network to determine response times at the various locations. Each probe identifies each signal detected as a request signal or a response signal. Furthermore, each probe determines and maintains a time stamp value of each detected signal. By comparing the time stamp values of a response signal with its corresponding request signal, the response time for the request/response transaction can be determined. A system manager monitors the response times at the various locations in the network in order to determine where a slowdown in data transfer is occurring. Accordingly, the system manager can isolate problems within the network which cause a decrease in data transfer efficiency.