System and method for synchronizing counters on an asynchronous packet communications network

A system, comprising:

• a first network node including a plurality of first performance manager counters, each of the first performance manager counters operable to count a different type of network performance information associated with data packets communicated over an asynchronous communications network;
• and
• a second network node including a plurality of second performance manager counters, each of the second performance manager counters operable to count a different type of network performance information associated with data packets communicated over the asynchronous communications network, said first network node configured to communicate a first network performance data packet including a first indicia to said second network node, a second network performance data packet including a second indicia to said second network node, and at least one communications data packet to said second network node between the first and second network performance data packets, said second network node incrementing at least one of the second performance manager counters in response to receiving each communications data packet between the first and second network performance data packets.