Patent ID: 8824312
Filing Date: 2014-09-02
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A system for testing Ethernet paths or links without adversely impacting non-test traffic, comprising: at least one pair of Ethernet devices coupled to opposite ends of an Ethernet path or link for transmitting non-test packets on said Ethernet path or link within a predetermined bandwidth limit, at least one test packet generator coupled to said Ethernet path or link for transmitting test packets on said Ethernet path or link to test the transmission characteristics of said Ethernet path or link, said test packet generator including a scheduler that determines when a new test packet is to be created and a packet creator responsive to said scheduler for building new test packets to be transmitted on said Ethernet path or link; a transmit credit block for storing an amount of credits representing a number of bytes that are available to transmit to be within said predetermined bandwidth limit, and decrementing said number of bytes available to transmit each time a test or non-test packet is transmitted via said Ethernet path or link; and a transmit block coupled to said packet creator and said transmit credit block for transmitting said new test packet on said Ethernet path or link when said amount of credits stored in said transmit credit block is sufficient to permit said new test packet to be transmitted without having said non-test packets exceed said predetermined bandwidth limit.