Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for evaluating performance of a network that supports packetized communications. A network test protocol that is associated with the packetized communication is initiated and network performance data is obtained based on the initiated network test protocol. An overall network quality rating is generated based on the obtained performance data and a network impairment indicator is calculated based on the overall network quality rating.

Abstract: Dynamic filtering methods, systems and computer program products are provided for network performance test results which may apply network troubleshooting expertise and knowledge of network topology to select and display test results in a manner which may facilitate analysis of those results by IT staffs. In a further aspect of the present invention, a severity index is provided which may be generated based on exception events from a plurality of network performance measurements, for example, response time, throughput and availability, which measurements are generated from test results obtained from agents located on various devices on a computer network. The test results may be obtained from either passive application monitor agents or active network test agents.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for evaluating performance of a network that supports packetized communications. A network test protocol that is associated with the packetized communication is initiated and network performance data is obtained based on the initiated network test protocol. An overall network quality rating is generated based on the obtained performance data and a network impairment indicator is calculated based on the overall network quality rating.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for testing the performance of a communication network including a plurality of endpoint nodes executing application programs which utilize the communications network are provided. A console node is provided on the network which may initiate operations by test agents executing on one or more of the plurality of endpoint nodes. The agents may generate network performance information using passive application monitoring and/or active endpoint pair based network testing responsive to scheduling instructions from the console node. Specific application programs may be designated for passive monitoring and active test protocols may be provided based on an expected type of application communication traffic. In another aspect of the present invention, one of a plurality of types of transaction models defining the beginning and ending reference point for a transaction timing measurement may be provided to the endpoint nodes for use in passive application monitoring.

Abstract: Communications network performance is tested utilizing a test scenario simulating actual communications traffic on the network to be tested. The test scenario includes an endpoint node specific test protocol between an endpoint node pair including a first and associated second endpoint node on the network to be tested. A partner endpoint node test protocol is determined from the endpoint node specific test protocol and communicated to from the first endpoint node to the associated second endpoint node of the endpoint node pair. A plurality of endpoint node pairs may executed different endpoint node specific test protocols under a test scenario. A console node is provided on the network for establishing the test scenario and assigning the test scenario to endpoint node pairs and initiating execution of the test scenario. Performance data may be monitored at one of the endpoint nodes of each endpoint node pair and reported to the console node either as it is generated or after completion of the test.

Abstract: Communications network performance is tested utilizing a test scenario determined based on a type of applications traffic expected on the network to be tested. A console node is provided on the network for establishing the test scenario and assigning the test scenario to endpoint nodes on the network to be tested. Each endpoint node is assigned an endpoint node specific test protocol. Execution of the test protocols by the endpoint nodes is initiated by the console node. Performance data such as throughput, transaction rate and response time may be monitored at selected ones of the endpoint nodes and reported to the console node either as it is generated or after completion of the test. The test scenario may be terminated when all endpoint node specific test protocols have completed execution or when any one endpoint completes execution of its test protocol. Multiple network protocols may be utilized within a single test scenario.

Abstract: Communications network performance is tested utilizing a test scenario determined based on a type of applications traffic expected on the network to be tested. A console node is provided on the network for establishing the test scenario and assigning the test scenario to endpoint nodes on the network to be tested. Each endpoint node is assigned an endpoint node specific test protocol. Execution of the test protocols by the endpoint nodes is initiated by the console node. Performance data such as throughput, transaction rate and response time may be monitored at selected ones of the endpoint nodes and reported to the console node either as it is generated or after completion of the test. The test scenario may be terminated when all endpoint node specific test protocols have completed execution or when any one endpoint completes execution of its test protocol. Multiple network protocols may be utilized within a single test scenario.

Abstract: Communications network performance is tested utilizing a test scenario simulating actual communications traffic on the network to be tested. A console node is provided on the network for establishing the test scenario and assigning the test scenario to endpoint nodes on the network to be tested. Each endpoint node is assigned an endpoint node specific test protocol. Execution of the test protocols by the endpoint nodes is initiated by the console node. Performance data such as throughput, transaction rate and response time may be monitored at selected ones of the endpoint nodes and reported to the console node either as it is generated or after completion of the test. The test scenario may be terminated when all endpoint node specific test protocols have completed execution or when any one endpoint completes execution of its test protocol. Multiple network protocols may be utilized within a single test scenario.

Abstract: Communications network performance is tested utilizing a test scenario simulating actual communications traffic on the network to be tested. The test scenario includes an endpoint node specific test protocol between an endpoint node pair including a first and associated second endpoint node on the network to be tested. A partner endpoint node test protocol is determined from the endpoint node specific test protocol and communicated to from the first endpoint node to the associated second endpoint node of the endpoint node pair. A plurality of endpoint node pairs may executed different endpoint node specific test protocols under a test scenario. A console node is provided on the network for establishing the test scenario and assigning the test scenario to endpoint node pairs and initiating execution of the test scenario. Performance data may be monitored at one of the endpoint nodes of each endpoint node pair and reported to the console node either as it is generated or after completion of the test.