Abstract: A system for measuring peak throughput in packetized data networks includes a remote monitoring probe and console. The probe is connected to a packetized data network to monitor network activity, while the console is in communication with the probe via a communications medium. The probe maintains a plurality of counters associated with different ranges of utilization percentage for access channel and individual circuit bandwidth. For each sampling interval, the probe measures the access channel and individual circuit bandwidth utilization and increments the appropriate counters associated with the percentage ranges encompassing the measured bandwidth utilizations. The console polls the probe for the percentage counter data to selectively display the access channel or individual circuit bandwidth utilization in the form of a bar graph and pie chart. The access channel and/or individual circuit bandwidth may ultimately be adjusted based on the displayed data.

Abstract: Measurement of round-trip delay or travel time in a communications network during in-service operation is accomplished by use of two probes, situated at respective points of interest along the communication network, and a processor. The probes receive identifiable data patterns normally transmitted over the communications network and generate a time stamp when each pattern arrives at or leaves the respective point. Each probe further generates a pattern identifier based on the data in the pattern and stores the identifier and time stamp as a pair in a buffer internal to each probe. Once the internal buffer contents exceed a predetermined amount of data, the processor receives the data from the buffers and matches pattern identifiers between the buffers to locate the departure and arrival time stamps of each pattern traveling between the probe points.