Patent ID: 8923122
Filing Date: 2014-12-30
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for generating a high-precision packet train in a packet processing platform that comprises a packet-processing unit and queuing hardware, said queuing hardware being configured to output data at a network bitrate, the method comprising: receiving a packet train context at the packet-processing unit, the packet train context indicating a number of packets to be generated for the packet train and including a packet header designating a traffic-shaping queue in the queuing hardware; receiving configuration information at the queuing hardware, said configuration information establishing a constant inter-packet gap for packets output by the traffic-shaping queue designated by the packet header; receiving a packet at the packet-processing unit, the packet including information identifying the packet train context; injecting the packet with the packet header, using the packet-processing unit, and forwarding the packet, including the packet header, to the queuing hardware for handling by the traffic-shaping queue designated by the packet header; repeatedly forwarding copies of the packet, each including the packet header, from the packet-processing unit to the queuing hardware until the number of forwarded packets equals the number of packets indicated by the packet train context, wherein said forwarding is performed at a rate sufficient to keep the traffic-shaping queue continuously subscribed for the duration of the packet train, given the constant inter-packet gap for packets output by the traffic-shaping queue; and outputting the forwarded packets from the traffic-shaping queue, at the network bitrate, such that the output packets are separated by the constant inter-packet gap.