New Innovations in Performance Analysis of Computer Networks: A Review

Innovation is the application of new solutions that meet new requirements, inarticulate needs, or existing market needs. In the field of performance analysis of networks, new innovations are springing up which are focusing on converged networks (data, voice and video). Among the recent ones are both open source and commercial tools developed to improve and simplify performance analysis techniques vis-à-vis analytical modeling, simulation and measurements. In this paper, an attempt is made to consider the concept of performance analysis in general while focusing on computer networks. The three broad techniques currently being employed in performance analysis of computer networks are explored. The nature and the requisite skills for a performance analyst are enumerated. In addition, the performance metrics of computer networks are reviewed with available software tools for carrying out network performance analysis. Finally, the new innovations and future focus of performance analysis with emphasis on computer networks with a view to intimating new researchers in this field with requisite knowledge for a less stressful research endeavour is considered