System for testing ethernet paths and links without impacting non-test traffic
A system for testing Ethernet paths or links without adversely impacting non-test traffic. The system includes a test traffic generator that includes a scheduler that determines when a new test packet is generated. The test traffic generator includes a packet creator that builds a test packet and a transmitter for transmitting the test packet via the Ethernet path or link. The packet creator sends the test packet to the transmitter. The traffic generator includes a transmit credit block coupled to the transmitter or to the scheduler. The transmit credit block stores an amount of credits representing a number of bytes that are available to transmit and decrements the amount each time a non-test packet is communicated via the Ethernet path or link.
1. A system for testing a path in a network comprising:
at least one test packet generator coupled to said path comprising:
a scheduler to determine when a test packet is to be created based on an amount of non-test packets being transmitted on the path;
a packet creator to create the test packet; and
a transmitter to transmit the test packet on said path.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the scheduler determines when the test packet is to be further created to achieve a pre-determined rate of transmission of one or more test packets.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the pre-determined rate is selected so as to not impair non-test traffic.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one test packet generator is embedded in one of two ethernet devices coupled to said path.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the scheduler is configured to calculate said amount of non-test packets is by removing credits from a transmit credit block for each non-test packet, and wherein said transmitter is configured to delay the test packet upon not having enough transmit credit available.
6. A method for testing a network path comprising:
determining when a test packet is to be created based on an amount of non-test packets being transmitted on the network path; and
creating and transmitting said test packet on said network path.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said determining when the test packet is to be created is further based on achieving a pre-determined rate of transmission of one or more test packets.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the pre-determined rate is selected so as to not impair non-test traffic.
9. The method of claim 6 , wherein said creating and transmitting is done on one of two ethernet devices coupled to said network path.
10. The method of claim 6 , wherein said amount of non-test packets is calculated by removing credits from a transmit credit block for each non-test packet, and wherein said transmitting the test packet is delayed upon not having enough transmit credit available.
11. A system for testing a path in a network comprising:
at least one test packet generator coupled to said path comprising:
a scheduler to determine when a test packet is to be transmitted based on a count of one or more credits, wherein the count of the one or more credits is determined based on a mode of operation;
a packet creator to create the test packet; and
a transmitter to transmit the test packet on said path.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the count of the one or more credits is determined based on a header, a preamble, or an inter-packet gap.
13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the one or more credits represent a number of bytes to be transmitted.
14. The system of claim 11 , wherein creating the test packet is based on an amount of non-test packets being transmitted on said path.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein said amount of non-test packets is calculated by removing the one or more credits from a transmit credit block for each non-test packet.
16. A method for testing a path in a network comprising:
determining when a test packet is to be transmitted based on a count of one or more credits, wherein the count of the one or more credits is determined based on a mode of operation;
creating the test packet; and
transmitting the test packet on said path.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the count of the one or more credits is determined based on a header, a preamble, or an inter-packet gap.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the one or more credits represent a number of bytes to be transmitted.
19. The method of claim 16 , wherein creating the test packet is based on an amount of non-test packets being transmitted on said path.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein said amount of non-test packets is calculated by removing the one or more credits from a transmit credit block for each non-test packet.