Path capacity estimation in heterogeneous, best-effort, small-scale IP networks

Current QoS solutions for IP networks are usually based on traffic classification and need to be supported by every device in the end-to-end path to be effective. This is relatively expensive for home networks. Alternative techniques have been proposed that require end-user services to pragmatically adapt their properties to the actual condition of the network. For this, the condition of the network needs to be known in real time. In this article we demonstrate a new method to probe the path capacity between a server and a client in a home network or any other best-effort small-scale IP network. The tool requires adaptation of the server side only, is non-intrusive, has a short measurement time, does not require pre-knowledge of the link-layer network topology, and is accurate enough to make educated predictions about the admission of IPTV services and the like.