a method for estimating the network - layer topology of a telecommunications network is described . in particular , the illustrative embodiment of the present invention estimates the existence and connectivity of nodes in the topology based on the detection of network - wide end - to - end path intersections . this is based on the assumption that pairs of streams of packets that share a common node will interfere and that the interference can be detected in the received streams . in general , this interference is manifested as jitter . by transmitting streams on each pair of end - to - end paths in the network , and detecting interference a matrix of path intersections for the network can be created . using logic and supposition , the topology of the network can be estimated using the matrix of path intersections . once the estimate of the topology is complete , the maintenance and operation of the network can proceed based on the topology .