System and method for distributed network performance management

A system for distributed network performance management, comprising:

• a control server, comprising a memory, a processor, and a first plurality of programming instructions stored in the memory which, when operating on the processor, cause the control server to:
• send configuration instructions to a distributed testing application installed on a plurality of client devices, the configuration instructions for each device comprising a level of autonomy of the client device;
• receive network test results from the client device;
• determine a condition of performance of the network from the received data;
• and
• change the configuration instructions for one or more of the plurality of client devices based on the condition of performance of the network;
• and
• a distributed testing application comprising a second plurality of programming instructions stored in a memory of, and operating on a processor of, each of the plurality of client devices, wherein the second plurality of programming instructions, when operating on the processor of the respective client device, causes the respective client device to:
• receive the configuration instructions;
• establish a network testing regime, the network testing regime being based on the level of autonomy and comprising:
• a selection of one or more types of network testing to be performed;
• a schedule for performing the one or more types of network testing;
• a selection of one or more granularity levels for the one or more types of network testing;
• and
• a schedule for reporting network test results of the one or more types of network testing to the control server or a third-party server;
• and
• report network test results to the control server or the third-party server;
• further comprising a hierarchy of client devices wherein some of the plurality of client devices act as an intermediary control server for other client devices.