Patent ID: 7424526

Claim:
A service node for coupling a remote client to a network having at least one server, said service node comprising: a) a gateway configured for connection to a network; b) a switch configured for connection to a remote client; c) a data routing system extending from said switch to said gateway, said switch, data routing system and gateway collectively forming a path, through said service node, configured for coupling said remote client to said network; d) a bandwidth measurement device coupled to said gateway, said bandwidth measurement device configured for independently determining upload or download data transfer rates of data packets transferred between said remote client and said gateway; e) a measurement application resident on said bandwidth measurement device, said measurement application determining said upload or download data transfer rates for said bandwidth measurement device, wherein said bandwidth measurement application pauses prior to determining said upload or download data transfer rates until other activity on said remote client has ended; and f) an applet maintained by said measurement application suitable for download to said remote client and configured for independently determining upload or download data transfer rates between said remote client and said gateway.