Introduction

Traffic measurement administration includes the scheduling and control of traffic data collection, and production of reports for analysis. The data collected by means of traffic measurements performed by the exchange is output in a form suitable for on-line or deferred analysis.

It may be useful to consider the concept of a generic Traffic Measurement System (TMS) for purposes of administering traffic measurements. Such a system may comprise elements of an exchange working in conjunction with some combinations of remote data processors and associated devices for output of measurement reports.

In order to administer traffic measurements, a series of related man-machine activities (referred to as "tasks") will need to be performed through one or more man-machine interfaces, and supported by appropriate system functions. Details are given below.

The traffic measurement output should contain the measured data together with reference information about network conditions at the time of the measurement which would assist in the data analysis, for example the number of blocked devices on a route or temporary alternative routing in effect.