Description: Determines when the sampling interval starts. When Set, this value is loaded into a timer and the following events occur: - Sample Status is set to 1 - Counters in PortSamplesResult are set to zero - The timer begins decrementing once per tick. When the timer reaches zero, timing stops and the following evetns occur: i. The PortXmitQueue quantities if selected are latched ii. PortSamplesResult counters are started iii. SampleStatus is set to 2 iv. The SampleInterval timer is started

The SampleStart timer allows a performance application to randomize the sample start time and insure decoupling from node or network events. Values used will typically be 10us of milliseconds. It is the fine granularity of this interval with respect to the link rate that makes decoupling possible.