Patent ID: 9614689
Date: 2017-04-04
CPC Classifications: H04L

Claim:
1. A network in-line tester for testing a telecommunications network, the tester configured for connection in line in a communications channel in the network so that all packets within that channel have to flow through the tester, wherein the tester is adapted to perform at least one operation on at least one selected packet flow as it flows through the tester, wherein said tester comprises one or more processors and/or circuits configured to: vary the selected packet flow by replaying at least one characteristic or profile recorded from a real communication signal in a different flow on the selected packet flow as the selected packet flow flows through the tester to replicate the characteristics of interest on the selected packet flow, wherein the at least one recorded characteristic or profile comprises a delay characteristic or delay profile and varying the selected packet flow by said tester involves varying relative timings of packets in the packet flow using the recorded delay characteristic or profile thereby simulating real-world time delay effects on the telecommunications network; output the varied selected packet flow via an output of the tester into the communication channel.