METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING TRAVEL TIME FOR DATA SENT BETWEEN DEVICES CONNECTED TO A COMPUTER NETWORK

An apparatus and method for determining transfer time and/or bandwidth between devices connected to a computer network includes sending a script or redirect signal to a browser attempting to fetch a banner from a server that causes a timer or clock to run between the initiation of a subsequent fetch page, fetch image, or other request by the browser and the delivery of subsequent data to the browser. The bandwidth of the device and/or the transfer time between the server and the device on which the browser is operating and the bandwidth of the device can then be used in the selection of which subsequent files, images, scripts, banners, executable software, or other content to be served to the browser or in the selection or configuration of web pages, electronic mail, or executable software to be served to the browser. In addition, the operational or performance characteristics or configuration of the device on which the browser is operating can also be determined and used during the selection of which subsequent files, images, banners, executable software or other content to be served to the browser or in the selection or configuration of web pages, electronic mail, or executable software to be served to the browser.