Probing limitations for packet loss probability measurement on buffered access links

Performance measurement of packet (e.g. managed IP) networks is a vital element in the commercial viability of broadband networking. Active measurement by injection of probing packets is becoming the standard technique for network monitoring and QoS measurement. Results from simulation and queueing analysis were applied to show that probing for packet loss probability through a buffered access link is limited by the mean time until a probe is lost, which can be very long. Hence it is imperative that network operators and service providers are aware of the amount of time required for data collection when monitoring the Service Level Agreements for different network loads.