Method and apparatus for measurement of peak throughput in packetized data networks

摘要

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. Alternatively, the system may analyze the data and determine conservative, moderate and aggressive recommendations for bandwidth adjustment. In addition, the system can generate reports containing the access channel or individual circuit bandwidth utilization for a user-specified time period, and the recommendations for bandwidth adjustment.