In assessing the health of ISP backbones during our monthlong test, we observed several key differentiators among providers. Here are 10 questions that should help bring out the differences for you as you shop for an ISP.In assessing the health of ISP backbones during our monthlong test, we observed several key differentiators among providers. Here are 10 questions that should help bring out the differences for you as you shop for an ISP:• What is the slowest circuit on the ISP’s backbone, as a carrier’s network is only as slow as this link?• How many router hops from the backbone to the customer’s connection? • During what hours does the ISP conduct scheduled maintenance on its backbone?• What percentage of total time is allocated to scheduled maintenance on the backbone? • How much advance notice does the ISP provide for scheduled maintenance and for emergency maintenance on the backbone?• >On the ISP’s backbone, what are the average and maximum values for jitter?• On the ISP’s backbone, what are the average and maximum values for one-way delay?• On the ISP’s backbone, what are the average and maximum values for packet loss?• Can the ISP demonstrate that jitter, one-way delay and loss on its backbone are roughly the same between any city-pairs on its backbone and in either direction?• Does the ISP’s network management system assess network health using periodic or continuous monitoring? Related content news analysis Cisco, AWS strengthen ties between cloud-management products Combining insights from Cisco ThousandEyes and AWS into a single view can dramatically reduce problem identification and resolution time, the vendors say. By Michael Cooney Nov 28, 2023 4 mins Network Management Software Network Management Software Networking opinion Is anything useful happening in network management? Enterprises see the potential for AI to benefit network management, but progress so far is limited by AI’s ability to work with company-specific network data and the range of devices that AI can see. By Tom Nolle Nov 28, 2023 7 mins Generative AI Network Management Software brandpost Sponsored by HPE Aruba Networking SASE, security, and the future of enterprise networks By Adam Foss, VicePresident Pre-sales Consulting, HPE Aruba Networking Nov 28, 2023 4 mins SASE news AWS launches Cost Optimization Hub to help curb cloud expenses At its ongoing re:Invent 2023 conference, the cloud service provider introduced several new and free updates that are expected to help enterprises optimize their AWS costs. By Anirban Ghoshal Nov 28, 2023 3 mins Amazon re:Invent Podcasts Videos Resources Events NEWSLETTERS Newsletter Promo Module Test Description for newsletter promo module. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe