Abstract: A device for measuring network performance in an Internet protocol (IP) network including a counter generating a send sequence number representing a relative send timing indicator for a data packet sent to a respondent network address. The counter generates a receive sequence number representing a relative receive timing indicator for a return data packet received by the device. A comparator compares the send sequence number with the receive sequence number to measure data packet loss.

Abstract: A method for operating a computer network has a source router transmit a first message to be received by an intermediate router of the computer network, the first message to activate the intermediate router to listen for a designated time period for the intermediate router to receive a second message. Upon receiving a second message by the intermediate router during the designated time period, the intermediate router responds to the second message in response to receiving the second message during the designated time period.

Abstract: A method of monitoring performance of an Internet protocol (IP) network is described. The method includes generating a timing probe data packet to be sent over the network, the timing probe data packet containing at least a send time of day (STOD) stamp for a sender of the timing probe data packet. The method further includes sending the timing probe data packet over the network from the sender to a receiver. Finally, the method further includes analyzing the timing probe data packet contents including at least the STOD stamp as a performance measure of the network. Between the sending and the analyzing, there is further included writing into the timing probe data packet at the receiver data including at least a receive time of day (RTOD) stamp, and echoing the timing probe data packet by the receiver thereof. Thus, the sender of the timing probe data packet performs the analysis based upon the STOD stamp and the RTOD stamp.

Abstract: A control mechanism enables a destination router to authenticate a response time request issued by a source router. The control mechanism uses a control message that is transmitted by the source router to the destination router. Receipt of the control message by the destination router causes the destination router to listen for a server request message for a designated response time. The source router, after sending the control message, transmits a server request message to the destination router. In the event that the destination router receives the server request message within the designated response time, then the destination router responds to the server request message by providing the request to service software. The control message may encapsulate a message that holds the response time request. The request message may be encrypted.