1. A method of analyzing network characteristics comprising the steps of: querying a network element in a communication network for local network information; receiving the local network information from the network element in response to querying, the local network information comprising one or more items selected from the group including topology information, connection information, and performance information; analyzing the local network information received to map a communication path established in the network; responsive to the local network information received and the communication path mapped in the analyzing step, selecting a next network element for querying; and if the next network element has been selected, iterating the method from the querying step for the next network element.