INQIRE - A SOFTWARE APPROACH TO MONITORING QOS IN ATM NETWORKS

Unlike traditional best-effort packet networks, ATM networks support a wide range of services by providing a specified QoS on each ATM conne ction. Currently, QoS can be measured with specialized high-speed test ing equipment but their complexity and cost prevent them from wide fie ld use. This article describes the INQIRE project approach based on so ftware for enabling common personal computers (with an ATM network int erface card) to function as QoS monitoring stations at the edges of an ATM network. The main objective is to develop a low-cost off-the-shel f alternative to broadband testing equipment. An INQIRE station, consi sting of a PC running the INQIRE application, can actively probe any s elected connection and collect sample measurements of the QoS. The mon itoring approach is intended to be non-intrusive and work with any ATM network without requiring any modifications to existing ATM switch eq uipment or interruptions to active services.