User-oriented performance evaluation of data communication services: measurement design

The experimental design used by the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) to measure the user information transfer performance parameters specified in American National Standard X3.102 on several US public data networks is discussed. The experimental design was developed in accordance with the data communication performance measurement procedures specified in a related American National Standard, X3.141. After summarizing the experimental design, with a focus on the interface events and boundaries used to measure block transfer time, a comparison is made with the CCITT X.130-series recommendations that establish performance standards for international packet-switched public data networks. Differences between the interface boundaries and events instrumented in these measurements and those specified in the CCITT X.130-series recommendations are discussed.<
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