Patent ID: 9432206
Filing Date: 2016-08-30
CPC Classification: H04L

Claim Text:
1. Apparatus for performing bi-directional testing in a link of a communications network, the apparatus comprising local test apparatus for connection to one end of the link and remote test apparatus for connection to an opposite end of the link, wherein the local test apparatus is operable to transmit local-to-remote test traffic to the remote test apparatus by way of the link, and the remote test apparatus is operable to analyze the local-to-remote test traffic and, while doing so, transmit to the local test apparatus by way of the link test information including interim local-to-remote test results and remote-to-local test traffic for analysis by the local test apparatus, wherein the interim local-to-remote test results are encapsulated with the remote-to-local test traffic and wherein the local test apparatus is further operable to extract and analyze the remote-to-local test traffic to produce remote-to-local test results, detect the interim local-to-remote test results from the remote test apparatus and consolidate the interim local-to-remote test results with the remote-to-local test results.