Spatial and temporal behavior of congestion in internet traffic

We have developed an approach which allows the determination of relative co ngestion levels on nodes of TCP/IP computer network by observing test packe t round trip time sequences for a series of routers located along the same path. We have also demonstrated the existence of strong spatial correlation of congestion levels. Propagation of congestion between neighboring router s can be observed directly. With increasing network load, distribution of c ongestion duration times changes from exponential to a distribution falling off slower than power law, via power law distribution. We thus conclude th at direct observations of network congestion agree with predictions of a mo del based on contact process.