Client-side solution for QoS measurement of video content delivery over IP networks

The number of IP Digital TeleVision (DTV) services has been growing rapidly in last decade. In order to provide the high quality video content to the end users, it is necessary to measure and monitor the Quality of Service (QoS) for mentioned services. In this paper the problem of QoS measurement in IP DTV services, from the client standpoint, is explored. As a solution, a computer application for measurement of QoS parameters through analysis of data provided by network protocols, is proposed. Communication protocols, which are a part of the IP DTV services standard, are presented. Metrics provided by the measurement application and methods of their extraction through protocol analysis are defined. Multiple existing software solutions for network QoS measurement are evaluated. The most suitable solution is integrated into the measurement application. Measurement accuracy is tested by comparing the measurement results with results provided by the reference analysis software (Wireshark). Results obtained by the implemented application are competitive to these obtained by the reference analysis software.