POLICY DRIVEN NETWORK PROBE FOR DETERMINING INTERNET PROTOCOL SELECTION

A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: transferring data over a network using a first mode; randomly, periodically and/or continuously determining network performance characteristics during the transferring, and applying a policy to the network performance characteristics determined during the transferring. The first mode of data transfer is continued to be used in response to a result of applying the policy mandating continued use of the first mode. Yet, in response to the result of applying the policy mandating use of a second mode, the second mode of data transfer is selected. Moreover, data is transferred over the network using the second mode in response to selecting the second mode.