MPLS packet loss calculator form
Use traffic counters from the same interval for accurate results.
Example data table
| Path | Packets Sent | Packets Received | Lost Packets | Loss % | Throughput |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro-LSP-01 | 1,200,000 | 1,198,920 | 1,080 | 0.09% | 55.30 Mbps |
| Core-LSP-04 | 2,500,000 | 2,496,250 | 3,750 | 0.15% | 51.20 Mbps |
| Voice-LSP-09 | 850,000 | 849,575 | 425 | 0.05% | 21.76 Mbps |
| DC-Backup-12 | 3,100,000 | 3,088,530 | 11,470 | 0.37% | 99.20 Mbps |
Formula used
Packet Loss = Packets Sent − Packets Received
Packet Loss % = ((Packets Sent − Packets Received) ÷ Packets Sent) × 100
Delivery % = (Packets Received ÷ Packets Sent) × 100
Throughput Mbps = (Packets × Average Packet Size × 8) ÷ (Duration × 1,000,000)
Utilization % = (Sent Throughput ÷ CIR) × 100
Per-Hop Delivery Ratio ≈ (Received ÷ Sent)^(1 ÷ Hops)
Per-Hop Loss % = (1 − Per-Hop Delivery Ratio) × 100
The per-hop result is an approximation. It assumes loss is evenly distributed across the full label-switched path, which is useful for quick analysis but not a replacement for hop-level telemetry.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the MPLS path or LSP name for reporting clarity.
- Provide packets sent and packets received from the same monitoring window.
- Enter the observation duration in seconds.
- Use the average packet size seen during that interval.
- Add hop count and CIR to estimate utilization and per-hop loss behavior.
- Enter the largest burst drop event during the interval.
- Set the SLA loss target used by your team or provider.
- Submit the form to view results, graph, and export options.
Frequently asked questions
What does this MPLS packet loss calculator measure?
It estimates end-to-end packet loss, delivery rate, throughput, utilization, burst impact, per-hop loss approximation, and SLA compliance from traffic counters collected over a measured interval.
Why do I need both packets sent and packets received?
Packets sent show offered traffic. Packets received show successful delivery. Their difference gives total packet loss, which is the base for loss percentage and bandwidth waste calculations.
What is the role of average packet size?
Average packet size converts packet counters into bandwidth metrics. That helps estimate sent throughput, received goodput, and the amount of useful capacity lost during impairment.
How is per-hop loss estimated here?
The calculator assumes impairment is evenly distributed across the hop count. It derives an approximate per-hop delivery ratio by taking the end-to-end delivery ratio root by hops.
What does peak burst lost packets represent?
It represents the largest concentrated drop event within the interval. This helps separate steady low loss from short bursts that may seriously affect voice, video, or real-time applications.
What is a good packet loss percentage for MPLS paths?
Many production environments target very low loss, often below 0.1% for sensitive traffic. Acceptable levels vary by application, class of service, and contractual SLA thresholds.
Why can utilization matter even if loss looks small?
High utilization can indicate congestion risk. A path near or above CIR may show modest average loss while still causing bursts, latency variation, queue drops, and user-visible issues.
Can I use this for class-based or QoS-specific analysis?
Yes. Run separate measurements for each class queue or service class. That reveals whether loss is isolated to voice, business-critical, best-effort, or backup traffic segments.