Measurement of accordance with such as those from artificial network traffic not be perceived

摘要

A network operational parameter as experienced by network operational traffic is measured by selecting a packet traversing a first monitoring point in a network in accordance with capability in a data structure definition of the packet for having additional information incorporated in the packet. Predetermined information for measuring at least one network operational parameter is incorporated in the selected packet in accordance with its data structure definition, and the packet is forwarded towards its destination in accordance with addressing information in the packet. The packet is again selected while traversing a second monitoring point in the network in accordance with presence of the predetermined information, which is observed and used to implement a measurement of the network operational parameter in accordance with the observed information. The invention may be implemented by using extension headers in networks conforming to IPv6. IMAGE