| 摘要 |
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for characterising a path between a source host and a destination host, including characterisation of each segment of the network path between the source host and destination host. The present invention comprises a first stage of data collection, wherein sampling of a network path is enabled by means of sending and receiving specific predetermined ordered groups of packets that can vary in size, number and protocol, wherein all packets are sent from the source host and addressed to the destination host. These ordered groups of packets include strategically arranged marker packets and load packets, wherein the load packets are typically expired at a predetermined node between the source host and destination host, and the marker packets complete their journey to the destination. After expiry of the load packets of a particular ordered group of packets, the marker packets associated therewith provide a means for capturing information relating to network characteristics up to the expiry of these load packets. Subsequent analysis of the collected information enables the characterisation of each segment along a network path between the source host and destination host. The present invention can incorporate a further analysis of the collected information performing a correlation between the characteristics of the ordered groups of packets and the collected information, thereby enabling a means for the adjustment of the characteristics of the ordered groups of packets used during sampling that can result in an optimisation of the sampling and characterisation of the network path.
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