The invention includes a system and a method for testing a communication
network. The inventive method transmits a first signal from a first point
to a second point of the communication network, where the first and the
second points are remotely located. The inventive method further includes
recording a first time value of the transmitting of the first signal
using a first clock, receiving a second signal at the second point of the
communication network, and recording a second time value of the receiving
using a second clock. The first clock and the second clock operate from a
substantially similar reference. The method may further include comparing
the first signal and the second signal as a function of the first and
second time values. Also, the method may determine at least one
performance characteristic of the communication network based on the
comparison.