Method and device for measuring available bandwidth by using mixed messages

The invention discloses a method for measuring available bandwidth by using mixed messages, which comprises the following steps: an active measuring end sends an internet control message protocol (ICMP) to a passive measuring end and accounts the network normal ICMP message packet loss rate of the passive measuring end; the active measuring end sends mixed messages to the passive measuring end and accounts the ICMP message average packet loss rate of the mixed messages of the passive measuring end and the active measuring end judges that the difference between the ICMP message average packet loss rate and the network normal ICMP message packet loss rate is greater than a preset packet loss rate threshold, the average speed of the passive measuring end receiving the mixed messages is accounted and used as the available bandwidth from the active measuring end to the passive measuring end. The invention also discloses a device for measuring available bandwidth by using mixed messages. The method and the device can be used for reducing the complexity of bandwidth measurement.