A method for estimating end-to-end quality of service (QOS), such as packet loss,
delay, and delay jitter, in a packet-switched communications network includes steps
for calculating packet loss and packet delay each router output link in a network
path and using the packet loss and packet delay calculations for each individual
router output link to estimate end-to-end QOS. The method includes calculating
the loss probability for all possible numbers of active sources to take into account
changes in the number of active sources as active sources connect to and disconnect
from the network. As a result, the inventive method allows the number of active
sources to vary in its estimation of end-to-end packet loss, delay, and delay jitter
for enhanced Internet Protocol network planning.
