Abstract: A method for sampling n-out-of-N packets in a network. Initially, the packet index corresponding to the N packets is pseudo-randomly shuffled. The shuffle function rearranges a set of numbers pseudo-randomly with a one-to-one mapping and no overlap. One way to perform the pseudo-random shuffle function is to use a linear feedback shift register (LFSR). The LFSR supports N being a power of two. However, the LFSR approach can be adapted to support N being any positive integer value. Based on the results of the shuffle function, sampling points are pseudo-randomly selected. By pseudo-randomly selecting the sample points, n-out-of-N sampling greatly minimizes biases.