Why we still need standardized internet speed measurement mechanisms for end users

After several years of research towards sophisticated QoS measurement tools and methods, the results given to end-users by most commonly used on-line speed measurement tools are still far from being precise. In order to define a reliable Internet speed measurement methodology for end-users, the impact that the static and dynamic constraints of network nodes and TCP/IP implementations could impose must be first carefully analyzed. Such constraints will determine the measurement methodology to be defined in terms of measurement periods, number of concurrent connections and convergence time by deployment of controlled simulation/emulation environments and real world comparisons. This paper presents a detailed description of the works and leaves hints to be followed, aiming to get a full understanding of cross-layer effects during a speed test targeting end-user.