Throughput and transit delay measurement of high speed international packet switched data circuits

A description of techniques that have been developed and used to measure the throughput and transit delay of packet switched data networks is presented. The techniques are applied to the measurement of the transit delay and throughput performance of international packet-switched connections involving a high-speed (56-kb/s) circuit on the internetwork circuit section of the international portion. Comparisons are made with the performance when the same connection has been provided by a 9.6-kb/s circuit. In addition to providing values that can be used as the basis for the performance objectives specified in international standards, the authors also give insight into the way in which actual packet networks perform. Additionally, they indicate that improvements had been required on a number of international links and that these subsequently have been implemented