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David R. Wortendyke et al.

Abstract: This report presents the results of a trial implementation of a newly developed data communication performance measurement methodology which has been proposed as Federal Standard 1043. In this experiment, a prototype data communication performance measurement system was developed in accordance with specifications defined in the standard. The system was used to assess the data communication service provided to a typical pair of ARPANET end users (host computer application programs). These user-oriented measurements differed from earlier ARPANET measurements in that the host computer operating systems and network control programs were regarded as providers of an end-to-end data communication service, rather than as users of the subnetwork. Results of the experiment will be useful in three ways. First, the prototype performance measurement system developed in this experiment will facilitate future implementations of the measurement standard. Second, the experience of implementing the measurement standard identified a number of ways in which that standard could be improved. These improvements will be incorporated in a future revision. Finally, the user-oriented performance values measured in this experiment will assist communication system planners in relating end-to-end performance objectives to the performance of subsystems.

Keywords: data communications; Federal standards; ARPANET; computer networks; end user; performance measurement; American National Standards

Disclaimer: Certain commercial equipment, components, and software may be identified in this report to specify adequately the technical aspects of the reported results. In no case does such identification imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, nor does it imply that the equipment or software identified is necessarily the best available for the particular application or uses.

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