Ethernet performance under actual and simulated loads

The paper presents the results of an experiment measuring Ethernet performance using station monitoring. In station monitoring the network measurements are performed internal to the stations, thus enabling the collection of delay information unavailable to typical spying network monitors. The experimental measurements are compared against similar measurements made using Ethernet simulation of the same network. The data show that measured performance differs significantly from predictions made by typical analytical and simulation models. The results have implications for the underlying assumptions used in simulation and modeling and on the use of spying monitors.<>