Conducting network performance analysis

Abstract

A method for conducting a network performance analysis, the method comprising measuring latencies of a plurality of packets communicated over a network includes determining latency representations for a plurality of levels of the network, for a plurality of communication routes, and/or for a plurality of communication types. The latency representations comprise the latency measurements, statistical representations of the latency measurements, and/or latency metrics derived from the latency measurements. The method includes comparing the determined latency representations to expected latency representations, the expected latency representations comprising expected latencies, expected statistical representation of latencies, and/or expected latency metrics. Based on the comparison, the method includes determining a discrepancy between one of the expected latency representations and one of the determined latency representations; and based on the determined discrepancy, identifying one of the levels of the network, the communication routes, and/or the communication types as an excess-latency-causing portion of the network.