Abstract: A centralized network management system includes a wireless controller system and a plurality of access points that are coupled together through a network. Each of the plurality of access points is configured to receive wireless traffic from user devices and determine whether flow session rules are available for the wireless traffic. If so, wireless traffic received by an access point that is part of a flow session is modified by that access point according to at least one flow session rule that was received from the wireless controller system and that is associated with the flow session to which that wireless traffic belongs. That modified wireless traffic is translated to modified wired traffic by the access point, and the access point then perform an action on the modified wired traffic according to the at least one flow session rule associated with the flow session.

Abstract: An application layer monitoring module is configured to monitor application layer packets for a call supported by a voice application and to detect an interruption in the call based on the application layer packets. A signaling layer monitoring module is configured to monitor signaling layer events associated with the voice application concurrently with monitoring of the application layer packets for the call. A correlation module is configured to correlate the interruption with the signaling layer events in response to the application layer monitoring module detecting the interruption. The correlation module is also configured to generate a key performance indicator (KPI) message including information indicating the interruption and at least one signaling layer event that is correlated with the interruption.

Abstract: A method for channel reservation and communication using carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) with directional antennas in a wireless network. A source station (STA) may transmit a directional request to send (RTS) frame to a destination station before a data transmission. Upon receipt of the RTS frame, the destination STA may transmit a transmit network allocation vector (TNAV) frame instructing receiving stations not to perform transmissions toward the destination STA for a predefined period of time, which may include a channel quality measurement (CQM) period. The destination STA may transmit a directional clear-to-send (CTS) frame when channel quality estimated during the CQM meets a criterion. The source STA may then transmit a directional data transmission to the destination STA upon receipt of the CTS frame.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for performing minimally invasive monitoring of path quality in a network. Specifically, path quality requests and measurements can be piggy-backed on the data traffic that is flowing through a secure connection between two network nodes. For example, path quality requests and measurements can be inserted into the TFC padding field of IP/ESP packets that are being communicated between two IPsec devices. The disclosed embodiments ensure that the number/frequency of measurements increases/decreases naturally in proportion to the amount of traffic flowing, and that the measurement data does not get differential treatment in the network as they are intrinsically bound to the data packets being monitored.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a communication controller coupling a device comprising a processor with a bus. The method comprises: receiving a plurality of types of data packets via the bus and processing received data packets before making available said received data packets to the device processor. The processing of received data packets comprises: evaluating each received data packet in accordance with predetermined criteria; rejecting any of the received data packets that fails to meet the predetermined criteria; identifying non-rejected data packets having high priority; identifying said non-rejected other data packets having lower priority; providing a high priority data path to the processor for the high priority data packets; providing at least one additional data path to the processor for the other data packets; and providing a high priority alert to the device processor to the presence of high priority data packets at the high priority channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th-generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates beyond 4th-generation (4G) communication system such as a long term evolution (LTE). A method and apparatus for performing a relay communication are provided. A remote user equipment (UE) according to the present disclosure is configured to acquire a first parameter related to relay load from each of a plurality of relay candidate UEs, to select a relay UE which will perform a relay communication with the remote UE from among the plurality of relay candidate UEs based on the first parameter acquired from each of the plurality of relay candidate UEs, and to perform the relay communication with the selected relay UE. The first parameter is generated based on cellular communication load between a base station (BS) connected to a corresponding relay candidate UE and the corresponding relay candidate UE.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for optimizing runtime performance of an application workload. Network input/output (I/O) operations between virtual machines of a pattern of virtual machines servicing the application workload in a private cloud are measured over a period of time and depicted in a histogram. A score is generated for each virtual machine or group of virtual machines in the pattern of virtual machines based on which range in the ranges of I/O operations per seconds (IOPS) depicted in the histogram has the largest sample size and the number of virtual machines in the same pattern that are allowed to be in the public cloud. In this manner, the runtime performance of the application workload is improved by minimizing the network input/output communications between the two cloud environments by migrating those virtual machine(s) or group(s) of virtual machines with a score that exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: In one example, a processor may receive network traffic from a demultiplexer via a first network interface card and place portions of the network traffic into a plurality of hash buckets. The processor may further process a first portion of the portions of the network traffic in at least a first hash bucket of the plurality of hash buckets and forward a second portion of the portions of the network traffic in at least a second hash bucket of the plurality of hash buckets to a switch via a second network interface card. In one example, the switch distributes the second portion of the network traffic to one of a plurality of overflow probes. In one example, the plurality of overflow probes comprises a network function virtualization infrastructure for processing the second portion of the network traffic.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a memory and a hardware processor. The hardware processor is configured to store a log of a received packet in the memory, set a transmission delay time for the log stored in the memory, and transmit the log in accordance with the transmission delay time of the log.

Abstract: In one implementation, a traffic tuning system includes an aggregation engine, an option engine, and a comparison engine. The aggregation engine is to collect information about pending traffic for a network from applications communicating via the network. The option engine is to generate a plurality of potential scheduling plans from the information about the pending traffic based on a plurality of traffic tuning parameters and one or more network paths for the pending traffic. The comparison engine is to compare the plurality of potential scheduling plans and to define a tuned scheduling plan based on comparing the plurality of potential scheduling plans.

Abstract: A method for dynamically creating network access control lists includes, by a processor receiving a request for an access control list (ACL). The method further includes, in response to receiving the request for the ACL: receiving a plurality of resource description from a first data source, receiving a policy enforcement point (PEP) graph for a network from a second data source, and using the plurality of resource descriptions and the PEP graph to generate the ACL, wherein the ACL comprises at least one policy for controlling network traffic through a PEP of the network. Each of the plurality of resource descriptions is associated with a plurality of computing devices in the network, and includes one or more of the following: information corresponding to an Internet Protocol definition of a computing device, information corresponding to desired access of the computing device, and information corresponding to permitted access of the computing device.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting adaptive flow statistics data includes a node type collector to access a network node and collect flows; a flow type calculator to calculate two or more flow types according to a flow duration length and request the node type collector to collect flow statistics data of a corresponding type of a flow at every collection period that corresponds to each of the two or more flow types; and a flow statistics storage to store the two or more flow types calculated by the flow type calculator, and store the flow statistics data, collected by the node type collector, for each of the two or more flow types in a table.

Abstract: A method for measuring frame loss on a connection between a near-device (NED) and a far-end device (FED). The method includes: placing, on the connection, multiple test frames having a plurality of sequence numbers; obtaining, from the connection, a first reflected test frame having a first sequence number, a first FED receiving counter value from the FED, and an initial FED received count from the FED; obtaining, from the connection, a second reflected test frame having a second sequence number, a second FED receiving counter value from the FED, and the initial FED received count from the FED; and calculating a one-way frame loss value on the connection based on the second sequence number and the initial FED received count.

Abstract: A multiplexing apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry multiplexes a plurality of MMT packets including at least one MMT packet to which first output time information representing a first output time and presentation time information representing a presentation time are added. The processing circuitry rewrites the first output time information to second output time information representing a second output time. The processing circuitry adds a time necessary to multiplex the plurality of MMT packets to the presentation time represented by the presentation time information as a delay time.

Abstract: Temporal matching based debugging methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method is implemented in a software-defined networking (SDN) controller coupled to a SDN system. The SDN system contains a set of network devices managed by the SDN controller, the method includes recording, at the SDN controller, messages between the SDN controller and a network device. The method further includes obtaining at the SDN controller from the network device, a set of statistics from the network device, where the set of statistics indicates characteristics of packet processing at the network device. The method further includes temporally matching the set of statistics obtained from the network device with the messages recorded, and identifying, among the messages recorded at the SDN controller, one or more messages occurred when the set of statistics indicates a packet processing anomaly in the network device.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for optimizing runtime performance of an application workload. Network input/output (I/O) operations between virtual machines of a pattern of virtual machines servicing the application workload in a private cloud are measured over a period of time and depicted in a histogram. A score is generated for each virtual machine or group of virtual machines in the pattern of virtual machines based on which range in the ranges of I/O operations per seconds (IOPS) depicted in the histogram has the largest sample size and the number of virtual machines in the same pattern that are allowed to be in the public cloud. In this manner, the runtime performance of the application workload is improved by minimizing the network input/output communications between the two cloud environments by migrating those virtual machine(s) or group(s) of virtual machines with a score that exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: In a network with at least a first device already configured to provide a network service to a network application, scaling service capacity includes: configuring one or more second devices to provide the network service to the network application. In embodiments where an upstream network device supports Equal-Cost Multi-Path (ECMP) routing, the upstream network device is configured, including storing a plurality of paths to reach an address associated with a network application, wherein the plurality of paths are equal in cost. In embodiments where the upstream network device does not support ECMP routing, the second device is configured not to respond to an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) request associated with an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the network application, and the first device is instructed to perform load balancing on network traffic destined for the network application among the first device and the one or more second devices.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method of performing a Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) operation in a wireless communication system and an apparatus for supporting the same. A method of performing an inter-eNB CoMP operation in a wireless communication system includes receiving, by a first eNB, a first LOAD INFORMATION message that requests the start of the CoMP operation from a second eNB, sending, by the first eNB, a second LOAD INFORMATION message for requesting Benefit Metric Information Element (IE) to the second eNB, receiving, by the first eNB, a third LOAD INFORMATION message, including the Benefit Metric IE from the second eNB, coordinating, by the first eNB, the resources of the eNBs included in the CoMP cluster, and sending, by the first eNB, a second LOAD INFORMATION message including results of the resource coordination to the eNBs included in the CoMP cluster.

Abstract: A novel design of a gateway that handles traffic in and out of a network by using a datapath daemon is provided. The datapath daemon is a run-to-completion process that performs various data-plane packet-processing operations at the edge of the network. The datapath daemon dispatches packets to other processes or processing threads outside of the daemon. At least one of these other processes is a control plane process that consumes the packet.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for uplink and/or downlink power control in a radio communication network are provided. The method comprises determining (120) a relationship between a load of a serving wireless access point and a load of at least one neighboring wireless access point; and determining (130) an uplink or downlink transmission power based on the determined load relationship.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the collection of performance metrics by establishing service operations administration and maintenance (OAM) sessions between an actuator and a plurality of reflectors in a communication network. Test packets from an actuator simultaneously reach a plurality of reflectors along a test path. Each single test packet results into a plurality of test results, one per reflector, with quasi-synchronous performance metrics to sectionalize a network and more efficiently isolate fault or performance problems without the need for additional test packets to isolate the issue. Another method is disclosed wherein an actuator generates and transmits a plurality of simultaneous test packets, one per NID device, resulting into a plurality of test results, one per reflector, with quasi-synchronous performance metrics to sectionalize a network and more efficiently isolate fault or performance problems without the need for additional test packets to isolate the issue.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and system for managing communication of packets. A transceiver node receives a plurality of IP data packets from an internet protocol (IP) network. The transceiver node separates the IP data packets into a first set and a second set of IP data packets, according to channel conditions of a cellular network and a wireless local area network (WLAN). The transceiver node transmits, to a user device, the first set of IP data packets using a cellular network protocol of the cellular network and the second set of IP data packets using a WLAN protocol of the WLAN, causing the user device to aggregate the first set of IP data packets transmitted using the cellular network protocol with the second set of IP data packets transmitted using the WLAN protocol.

Abstract: A system and method is taught for vehicles controlled by automated driving systems, particularly those configured to automatically control vehicle steering, acceleration, and braking during a drive cycle without human intervention. In particular, the present disclosure teaches a system and method for generation situational awareness and path planning data and transmitting this information via vehicle to vehicle communications where one vehicle has an obstructed view to objects not within an obstructed view of a second vehicle.

Abstract: A method of generating a sequence of packets representing a stream of one or more media frames at an encoding system, the method comprising: in dependence on a measure of data loss over a network, determining a level of error correction data required in respect of a stream of media frames in order to substantially satisfy a recovery parameter expressing a target proportion of packets recoverable using error correction data; in dependence on the determined level of error correction data, identifying a target encoding bitrate so as to not exceed a target transmission bitrate over the network; encoding the stream of media frames so as to generate encoded data at the target encoding bitrate; and processing the encoded data and error correction data formed in respect of the stream of media frames so as to generate a sequence of packets at a rate commensurate with the target transmission bitrate.

Abstract: A method of base station (BS) in a wireless communication system. the method comprises identifying a set of transmission parameters comprising a numerology, wherein the numerology includes a subcarrier spacing, determining a plurality of baseband signal generation chains each of which includes the set of transmission parameters comprising different numerology, and transmitting, at least one user equipment (UE), downlink signals comprising the set of transmission parameters using a multi-user multi-input multi-output (MU-MIMO).

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for performing ranging operations between a first device and a second device. The first device may receive, from the second device, a fine timing measurement (FTM) request frame including a request to estimate angle information for a number of frames exchanged with the second device and indicating a level of accuracy for the estimated angle information. The first device may transmit a first FTM frame to the second device, may receive an acknowledgement (ACK) frame from the second device, and may transmit, to the second device, a second FTM frame including angle information of the first FTM frame and timing information of one or more of the exchanged frames.

Abstract: Network packet traffic in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network is analyzed by associating a micro network access agent with a single network element in the LTE network and performing packet traffic analysis for packet traffic processed by the single network element using the micro network access agent.

Abstract: A determination is made at a network connected device that a network policy is to be verified. The network policy is applied to network packets sent to an endpoint within a network, and the application of the policy to network traffic can result in at least two outcomes. Another determination is made at the network connected device that a switch is provisionable to host the endpoint. The network connected device provisions a simulated endpoint version of the endpoint at the switch to host the policy. At least one packet is sent to the simulated endpoint via the network connected device for each of the at least two outcomes of the policy. At least one response is received by the network connected device from the simulated endpoint indicating how the policy was applied to each of the packets.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system is configured to use an owner GW node to write data for a first fileset and determine whether to utilize one or more other GW nodes to handle at least a portion of write traffic for the first fileset, select a set of eligible GW nodes, assign and define a size for one or more write task items for each GW node based on a current dynamic profile of each GW node, provide and/or ensure availability to in-memory and/or I/O resources at each GW node in the set of eligible GW nodes to handle one or more assigned write task items, and distribute workload to the set of eligible GW nodes according to the size for each of the one or more assigned write task items for each individual GW node in the set of eligible GW nodes.

Abstract: Techniques implementing redundancy in an extended bridge comprising a controller bridge (CB) unit and a plurality of port extender (PE) units are provided. In one embodiment, the CB unit can receive join requests from the plurality of PE units and can determine, based on the join requests, whether the plurality of PE units are physically connected to the CB unit and/or other CB units in the extended bridge according to a ring topology. If the plurality of PE units are physically connected to the CB unit or the other CB units according to a ring topology, the CB unit can select a link in the ring topology as being a standby link.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for optimizing runtime performance of an application workload. Network input/output (I/O) operations between virtual machines of a pattern of virtual machines servicing the application workload in a private cloud are measured over a period of time and depicted in a histogram. A score is generated for each virtual machine or group of virtual machines in the pattern of virtual machines based on which range in the ranges of I/O operations per seconds (IOPS) depicted in the histogram has the largest sample size and the number of virtual machines in the same pattern that are allowed to be in the public cloud. In this manner, the runtime performance of the application workload is improved by minimizing the network input/output communications between the two cloud environments by migrating those virtual machine(s) or group(s) of virtual machines with a score that exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for transmitting HARQ feedback information in a wireless communication system are provided. In so doing, the method for transmitting the HARQ feedback information in a receiving end includes confirming the number of packets received from a transmitting end, and when receiving a reference number of packets from the transmitting end, transmitting to the transmitting end a feedback signal comprising HARQ feedback information for the reference number of the packets.

Abstract: Described herein are approaches for shaping traffic within a data network. In particular, methods and systems herein describe devices configured to classify packets based on particular criteria. Based on a classification associated with a packet, a packet can be queued at a subscriber mux device, one of a plurality of subscriber devices, and an application device. In addition, the subscriber devices and the application device include qdiscs to shape traffic. Once the traffic is shaped, it is queued based on properties associated with packets.

Abstract: Disclosed are system, method, and computer-readable medium embodiments for a network to provide network applications and services and estimate network metrics for individual applications and services. In an embodiment, a first routing device receives a packet and determines that the packet is to be sampled. The first routing device samples the packet by storing first information associated with the packet and transmits the first information to a measurement server. The first routing device transmits the packet towards a destination according to routing information. A second routing device receives the packet and determines that the packet is to be sampled. The second routing device samples the packet by storing second information associated with the packet and transmitting the second information to the measurement server. The measurement server determines a measurement based on the first information and second information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for discovering a home agent serving a mobile node upon the mobile node changing its mobility management scheme in a packet-switched network and the implementation of such method in a mobile node or home agent. In order to propose a home agent discover scheme that maintains session continuity in a seamless manner upon a mobile node changing its mobility management scheme, a mobile node comprises information on its location prior to changing the mobility management scheme to one of the first signaling messages transmitted upon changing the mobility management scheme (home agent discovery message). The receiving node uses this information to identify the home agent serving the mobile node or to provide a hint to the home agent where the mobile node is registered in a response message to the mobile node.

Abstract: Compression of data for database movement, includes: selecting a first group of categorical columns for compression; selecting a next group of categorical columns from remaining columns for compression; repeating the selecting of the next group until a predetermined compression threshold is met; creating first compression files comprising compressed representations of the columns in the first group; creating next compression files comprising compressed representations of the columns in each of the next groups; storing initial row sort order, group identity, and column positions corresponding to each of the next groups; and storing any columns not selected for compression in an uncompressed file in the original row sort order. Decompression of the data includes: rebuilding categorical columns in each group of compression files using group identity and column positions corresponding to the group; and sorting rows comprising the rebuilt categorical columns to the initial row sort order.

Abstract: A bridging circuit and method of operation thereof, which couples first and second electronic circuits of a data processing system. The first electronic circuit generates signals corresponding to digits of a flow control unit (flit) of a first flow control protocol and where the second electronic circuit is responsive to signals corresponding to flits of a second flow control protocol. When first flits are destined for the same target buffer, they are combined to provide a second flit consistent with the second flow control protocol and transmitting the second flit to the second electronic circuit. The second flit includes data and metadata fields copied from the first flits, a common field common to each of the first flits, a merged field containing a merger of fields from the first flits and a validity field indicating which portions of the second flit contain valid data.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining each gateway (GW) node in a clustered file system eligible to process read tasks and constructing a GW node list of all eligible GW nodes, determining a home node that corresponds to each GW node in the list, creating individual home node GW lists for each home node, with each home node GW list including a set of GW nodes which share a same home node, determining a peer GW eligibility value for each GW node, determining a GW node having a highest eligibility value for each home node, removing all other GW nodes which do not have the highest eligibility value for each home node from the list, assigning and defining a size for read task items for each GW node in the list, and distributing workload to each GW node in the list according to sizes of the read task items.

Abstract: A data signal is transmitted in a wireless communication system from a primary station to a secondary station. The data signal comprising a medium access control header (MAC-hs header) and a protocol data unit associated with the medium access control header. The medium access control header comprising a set at least one field (e.g. TSN, SEG, LI, FMT, LCid), wherein a size allocated to at least one field of the set is determined based on a length of the protocol data unit. For example, the size allocated to a segmentation indication field (SEG) determined for a protocol data unit of a first length is less than the size determined for a protocol data unit of a second length, the second length being higher than the first length, the segmentation indication depending on a number of segments that the protocol data unit is subdivided into.

Abstract: A software defined network, in accordance with some examples of the disclosure, may be used to optimizing traffic across a multi-layer inter-exchange for applications like automated private peering by incorporating packet switching along with OTN and/or optical switching into a converged system. Participants in private peering may have ports into the multi-layer inter-exchange, some to the L2 fabric which supports multi-tenant peering and some to the L1 or L0 fabric for higher-performance private peering.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for online content referral are provided. A computer-implemented method may include receiving a request for content comprising an attribution tag associating a first user with the content where the request is received to provide the content to a second user, determining that the first user referred the content to the second user by analyzing the attribution tag in the request, and storing a record of the first user's referring of the content to the second user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multiplexing audio/video data and generating transport streams for WiFi network with reduced latency for real time playback at a remote device. A virtual presentation clock reference (PCR) representing a scheduled transmission time of a transport stream packet at a transport stream multiplexer is calculated based on the network transmission rate and generation of the data packets. The virtual PCR is compared with the corresponding system PCR to derive a time difference. Based on the time difference, the transport stream multiplexer is configured to adaptively drop packets or throttle packet generation so as to synchronize the playback of audio/video data on a sink device with the generation of interleaved audio/video packets.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a network device routes traffic along a network path and receives a performance threshold crossing alert regarding performance of the network path. The network device detects that the performance threshold crossing alert is part of a potential network attack by analyzing, by the device, the performance threshold crossing alert. The network device also provides a notification of the detected network attack.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for receiving a clock synchronization message are disclosed. According to one exemplary method, the method occurs at a first node configured to operate on a protected side of a firewall device. The method includes sending, via the firewall device and to a second node configured to operate on a non-protected side of the firewall device, a clock lease message indicating an amount of time for clock synchronization, wherein the clock lease message triggers the firewall device to allow a clock synchronization message from the second node to the first node. The method also includes receiving, via the firewall device and from the second node, the clock synchronization message.

Abstract: A method of period allocation for a medium to be utilized by a first wireless communication device comprising at least one wireless local area network (WLAN) module includes while the first wireless communication device occupies the medium, detecting a termination period of a Network Allocation Vector (NAV) of the medium; and the first wireless communication device extending the termination period of the NAV of the medium if the termination period of the NAV is earlier than an expected period.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods and systems for providing electronic feedback. In one aspect, a method for providing feedback to a first participant is performed at a first client device. The method includes: (a) participating in an electronic conference with remote participant(s), the conference including an outgoing communications stream for the first participant; and (b) receiving feedback corresponding to a quality of the first participant's outgoing communications stream at a client device used by the particular participant. In another aspect, a method for providing feedback from a first participant is performed at a first client device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for estimate derivation are described. In one embodiment, a query may be received with a predicate for sets over a collection of items. Associated samples associated with the query may be accessed. Items of an associated sample may be accessed from the collection of items. A determination of whether the predicate is an attribute-based selection from a union of at least some sets may be made. Available items of the particular associated sample may be selected from the items. Identified items may be identified among the available items in the associated sample that satisfy the predicate. An adjusted weight may be assigned to an item based on a weight of the item and a distribution of the associated samples. An estimate may be generated based on the adjusted weight of the identified items of the associated samples that satisfy the predicate. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for direct passive monitoring of packet delay variation and time error in network packet communications. Packets traversing between slave and master clocks are monitored to provide direct results of the actual conditions without the need to rely upon inference determinations. Certain embodiments provide tap configurations to monitor packet flows, while certain other embodiments provide in-line configurations to monitor packet flows. Certain further embodiments provide multiple monitoring devices that can be used for passive monitoring purposes, such as passive monitoring to test boundary clock. These multiple monitoring devices can be configured to be within a single or different test instruments. Other variations are also described.

Abstract: Quality of information (QoI) assessment in dynamic sensor networks that includes evaluating, by a computer, a first value reflective of available reports from sensors that are dynamically associated with the computer. A second value reflective of reports expected to have been available for evaluation about the observed phenomena is estimated. A QoI of the available reports is assessed. The assessing is based on the first value reflective of the available reports and the second value reflective of reports expected to have been available for evaluation. A third value, based on the assessing is output.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for microburst testing are disclosed. According to one method, the method includes defining a test that is divided into one or more test cycles, wherein each test cycle includes a plurality of time intervals for providing packets to destination ports of N ports of the network equipment test device via a plurality of ports of a network switch under test, wherein N is an integer. The method further includes initializing a replication count. The method also includes executing an instance of the test using the replication count. The method further includes monitoring packets switched by each port of the network switch under test to determine an indication of buffering capacity of each port of the network switch under test.