Understanding end-to-end Internet traffic dynamics

Abstract

An investigative tool for the direct study of end-to-end Internet traffic is presented, featuring a hybrid timing mechanism allowing high resolution time-stamping of packet departures in a UNIX environment. A method for the elimination of timing artifacts due to variations in clock rates, essential for the study of delay, is also presented. A preliminary report is gives on the detailed structure of end-to-end delay and loss processes using the tool. A number of consistent properties of interest are found including long range dependence in delay and a very simple structure for loss.