Communication device, network available bandwidth estimation method in communication device, and storage medium on which network available bandwidth estimation program has been recorded

An available bandwidth estimation method for a communication line, the method comprising, by a communication apparatus communicably connected to at least one terminal apparatus via a communication line:

• generating particular information for estimating an available bandwidth on the communication line;
• determining whether to transmit in series or in parallel the particular information for a particular one of the terminal apparatuses and the particular information for another one of the terminal apparatuses;
• and
• estimating the available bandwidth of the communication line between the communication apparatus and each of the terminal apparatuses, by transmitting, based on the determination, the particular information for the particular terminal apparatus and the particular information for the other terminal apparatuses.

A storage medium on which a program has been recorded, the program being executed by a computer that controls an operation of a communication apparatus communicably connected to at least one terminal apparatus via a communication line, the program causing the computer to execute the processes of:

• generating particular information for estimating an available bandwidth on the communication line;
• determining whether to transmit in series or in parallel the particular information for a particular one of the terminal apparatuses and the particular information for another one of the terminal apparatuses;
• and
• estimating the available bandwidth of the communication line between the communication apparatus and each of the terminal apparatuses by transmitting, based on the determination, the particular information associated with the particular terminal apparatus and the particular information associated with the other terminal apparatuses.