HIGH-SPEED NETWORK APPARATUS AND SELF-TESTING METHOD THEREOF

A high-speed network apparatus and a self-testing method thereof are provided. The method is to configure a first network interface to transmit a plurality of test Ethernet frames to a second network interface via a network cable continuously during a default time interval, count a number of the transmitted test Ethernet frames, compare the counted number with a default value, and issue a notification according to a result of comparison. The present disclosed example can test a transmission speed of a high-speed network apparatus effectively without any additional test apparatus, and can reduce a cost of test significantly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The technical field relates to apparatus and method, and more particularly related to high-speed network apparatus and self-testing method thereof.

Description of Related Art

The high-speed Ethernet technology has ability of supplying a transmission speed which is faster than 1 gigabits per second (1 Gbps). Moreover, many high-speed network apparatuses suppling the high-speed Ethernet technology had been provided on the market currently.

In general, the network apparatus must be tested before leaving the factory for making sure that a transmission performance the network apparatus conforms to the corresponding specifications (such as the maximum transmission speed is not less than 100 Mbps).

Please refer toFIG. 1, which is a schematic view of test of a network apparatus of the related art. As shown in figure, a testing method of the related art is configured to test the manufactured network apparatuses10,12by a special Ethernet test apparatus14.

More specifically, the tester first makes two network connection ports of the Ethernet test apparatus14respectively connect to two network connection ports of the network apparatus10by two network cables160,162, and make the other two network connection ports of the Ethernet test apparatus14respectively connect to two network connection ports of another network apparatus12by two network cables164,166. Then, the tester may operate the Ethernet test apparatus14to generate a lot of simulation packets, and transmit the simulation packets to the network apparatuses10,12for testing their transmission speeds.

Although above-mentioned14may test the transmission speed of the network apparatus10,12effectively, most of the network apparatuses provided on the market currently only have ability of testing the transmission speed for the general transmission level (such as 1 Gbps) because of the scant hardware performance, and do not have ability of testing the transmission speed for the high-speed Ethernet level (such as 10 Gbps).

Besides, a high-speed Ethernet test apparatus having strengthened hardware performance had been provided currently. Although above-mentioned high-speed Ethernet test apparatus has ability of testing transmission speed for high-speed transmission level (such as 10/100 Gbps), above-mentioned high-speed Ethernet test apparatus usually applies to experiment in a research and development stage caused by the high-speed Ethernet test apparatus being very expensive. Because the manufacturers do not have enough funds for buying the very expensive high-speed Ethernet test apparatus usually, the manufacturers do not have ability of testing the transmission speed of the manufactured high-speed network apparatus, and do not have ability of ensuring that the manufactured high-speed network apparatus meets a transmission level of its specification.

Accordingly, there is currently a need for a method of testing a high-speed network apparatus having ability of testing the transmission speed of the high-speed network apparatus in a low-cost way efficiently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosed example is directed to a high-speed network apparatus and self-testing method thereof, the present disclosed example has ability of testing a transmission speed of the high-speed network apparatus via the hardware of the high-speed network apparatus without any additional test apparatus.

One of the exemplary embodiments, a self-testing method for testing transmission performance of a high-speed network apparatus comprising a first network interface and a second network interface, comprises following steps of: a) configuring the first network interface to start to transmit a plurality of test Ethernet frames to the second network interface via a network cable; b) count a number of the test Ethernet frames had been transmitted; c) configuring the first network interface to stop transmitting the test Ethernet frames if a default time interval elapses; d) issuing a notification of pass in speed test if the number of the test Ethernet frames had been transmitted is not less than a default value; and, e) issuing a notification of fail in speed test if the number of the test Ethernet frames had been transmitted is less than the default value.

One of the exemplary embodiments, a high-speed network apparatus having ability of testing transmission performance itself, comprises a first network interface, a second network interface, a human-machine interface and a processor electrically connected to the first network interface, the second network interface and the human-machine interface. The first network interface is connected to one end of a network cable and transmits a plurality of test Ethernet frames to the network cable. The second network interface is connected to another end of the network cable and receives the test Ethernet frames from the network cable. The human-machine interface is configured to issue notification. The processor comprises a timing module, a transmission control module, a count control module and a notification module. The timing module is configured to start to time a default time interval after the first network interface starts to transmit the test Ethernet frames. The transmission control module is configured to configure the first network interface to start to transmit the test Ethernet frames, and configure the first network interface to stop transmitting the test Ethernet frames after the default time interval elapses. The count control module is configured to retrieve a number test Ethernet frames had been transmitted. The notification module is configured to control the human-machine interface to issue a notification of pass in speed test if the number of the test Ethernet frames had been transmitted is not less than a default value, and issue a notification of fail in speed test if the number of the test Ethernet frames had been transmitted is less than the default value.

The present disclosed example can test a transmission speed of a high-speed network apparatus effectively without any additional test apparatus, and can reduce a cost of test significantly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosed example mainly provides a self-testing technology applied to the high-speed network apparatuses shown inFIG. 2toFIG. 6. Above-mentioned self-testing technology mainly executes high-speed transmission and high-speed reception of Ethernet frames by its own hardware, so as to test the transmission speed of the high-speed network apparatus.

Please refer toFIG. 2, which is an architecture diagram of a high-speed network apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosed example. In this embodiment, the high-speed network apparatus2may be a computer having ability of connecting to a network. More specifically, the high-speed network apparatus2may comprise a first network interface21, a second network interface22, a storage module23, a human-machine interface24, and a processor20electrically connected to above devices.

The first network interface21and the second network interface22may be the same or similar type of network interface, and have ability of executing Ethernet transmission. One of the exemplary embodiments, the first network interface21and the second network interface22may be the high-speed network interface card (high-speed NIC) supplying 1 Gbps or faster transmission level.

One of the exemplary embodiments, if the maximum transmission level supplied by the first network interface21is same as the maximum transmission level (such as 100 Gbps) supplied by the second network interface22, the present disclosed example can test above maximum transmission level (such as 100 Gbps).

One of the exemplary embodiments, if the maximum transmission level (such as 10 Gbps) supplied by the first network interface21is different from the maximum transmission level (such as 100 Gbps) supplied by the second network interface22, the present disclosed example can test the lower transmission level (such as 10 Gbps) of the two.

The storage module23, such as cache memory, RAM, compact disc, flash memory, hard disk or any combination of above storage modules, is used to store data. The human-machine interface24, such as keyboard, mouse, display, touch screen, speaker and/or the other input/output devices, is used to receive use operations and/or output information, such as a notification of pass in speed test, a notification of fail in speed test and a notification of connection defect described later. The processor20is used to control each of the devices of the high-speed network apparatus2.

One of the exemplary embodiments, the storage module23comprises non-transitory computer-readable media storing an operating system230and an application program231, both of the operating system230and the application program231record computer-readable codes. The processor20may execute the operating system230, and execute the application program230during run time of the operating system231for interacting with the first network interface21and the second network interface22for implementing the self-testing method of each of the embodiments of the present disclosed example.

Please be noted that the tester must make one end of a network cable (such as optical fiber cable, twisted pair or biaxial copper cable) connect to the first network interface21, and another end of the network cable connect to the second network interface22, so as to make the first network interface21and the second network interface22to form a physical loopback and transmit signals each other in the physical loopback.

Please be noted that, because a virtual loopback of the related art constituted by a physical network interface and a virtual network interface operates in the TCP/IP Layer of interconnection model, the virtual loopback of the related art must consume a large amount of processor resources for simulating the virtual network interface and encapsulation/decapsulation of packets. Above-mentioned status makes a transmission speed of the virtual loopback of the related art is unable to reach the transmission level of high-speed Ethernet (such as 1 Gbps), and is unable to be used to test the transmission speed of the high-speed network apparatus.

The present disclosed example can make the transmission speed of the Ethernet frames reach the high-speed Ethernet transmission level (described later) effectively via implementing the physical loopback via the two physical high-speed network interfaces, and making the physical high-speed network interfaces transmit/receive Ethernet frames in the Data Link Layer and the Physical Layer.

Please refer toFIG. 3, which is an architecture diagram of a high-speed network apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosed example. In this embodiment, the high-speed network apparatus2comprises a first network interface21, a second network interface22and a computer host3which are arranged independently. The computer host3comprises a processor20, a storage module23, a human-machine interface24, and a connection interface30(such as PCI Express interface or the other interfaces supplying high-speed transmission).

The first network interface21and the second network interface22may form an electrical connection with the processor20via a connection interface30, so as to be controlled by the processor20and make the computer host3have ability of connecting network.

Please be noted that, in this embodiment, the tester must make both the first network interface21and the second network interface22removably connect to the connection interface30of the computer host3, and make both ends of the network cable25respectively connect to the first network interface21and the second network interface22for forming the physical loopback for execution of the self-testing method described later.

Please refer toFIG. 4, which is a schematic view of connection of a high-speed network apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present disclosed example. Compare to above-mentioned high-speed network apparatus2, each of the high-speed network apparatuses40,41of this embodiment only comprises one network interface. For example, the first network interface21is arranged on the high-speed network apparatus40, and the second network interface22is arranged on the high-speed network apparatus41.

In this embodiment, the tester is to make both ends of the network cable25respectively connect to the first network interface21of the high-speed network apparatus40and the second network interface22of the high-speed network apparatus41for forming the physical loopback for execution of the self-testing method described later.

Please refer toFIG. 5, which is a schematic view of network interface according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosed example. In this embodiment, the network interface5(such as above-mentioned first network interface21or second network interface22) may comprise a firmware50, a transmission register51, a count register52, and a frame-generating module53.

The firmware50is stored in a storage module (not shown in figure) of the network interface5, the firmware50is configured to aid the processor20to control and configured the network interface5. The transmission register51, the count register52and the frame-generating module53may be arranged in a micro-controller (not shown in figure) of the network interface5, and is configured to execute the self-testing method described later.

More specifically, the transmission register51is configured to control the network interface5to start to transmit the test Ethernet frames or stop transmitting the test Ethernet frames. The count register52is configured to count a number of the test Ethernet frames transmitted from the network interface5or received by the network interface5. The frame-generating module53is configured to generate the test Ethernet frames.

Please refer toFIG. 6, which is an architecture diagram of a processor according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosed example. More specifically, the processor20may interact with the first network interface21and the second network interface22via execution of application program231for implementing each of functions of the self-testing method of the present disclosed example. Moreover, the application program231comprises a plurality of groups of computer-executable codes respectively corresponding to following function module, the processor20may implement following function module via execution of the groups of computer-executable codes.

1. Timing module60is configured to time a default time interval (such as 30 seconds), and trigger a time-up signal after the default time elapses.

2. Transmission control module61is configured to configure the network interface5to start to transmit the Ethernet frames or stop transmitting the Ethernet frames. One of the exemplary embodiments, the transmission control module61may enable the transmission register51via execution of the firmware50(such as configuring a value of the transmission register51as 1) for making the network interface5start to transmit the Ethernet frames, or disable the transmission register51via execution of the firmware50(such as configuring a value of the transmission register51as 0) for making the network interface5stop transmitting the Ethernet frames.

3. Count control module62is configured to retrieve a number of the Ethernet frames transmitted or received during above-mentioned default time interval by the network interface5. One of the exemplary embodiments, the count control module62may enable the count register52via execution of firmware52(such as configuring a value of the count register52as 0) for making the count register start to count the number of the Ethernet frame. Moreover, after time is up, the count control module62may read a reading of the control module52via execution of the firmware50for retrieving the final number of the Ethernet frame had been transmitted or received.

4. Notification module63is configured to generate a notification and control the human-machine interface24to output the generated notification.

5. Connection-checking module64is configured to check whether a connection (such as the network cable25) between the two connected network interfaces5(such as first network interface21and second network interface22) works normally.

6. Throughput-calculating module65is configured to calculate a throughput of transmission between the two network interfaces5.

7. Latency-calculating module66is configured to calculate a latency of transmission between the two connected network interfaces5.

8. Lost-rate-calculating module67is configured to calculate a lost rate of transmission between the two connected network interfaces5.

9. Back-to-back-calculating module68is configured to calculate a back-to-back value of transmission used to indicate a buffering capability between the two connected network interfaces5.

Thus, the present disclosed example can test the transmission performance of the two connected network interfaces5(such as the first network interface21and the second network interface22).

Please refer toFIG. 7is a flowchart of a self-testing method according to the first embodiment of the present disclosed example. The self-testing method of each of the embodiments of the present disclosed example may be implemented by the high-speed network apparatus shown inFIG. 1toFIG. 6. Following description takes the high-speed network apparatus2shown inFIG. 2for explanation. The self-testing method of this embodiment comprises following steps.

Step S10: the processor20controls the high-speed network apparatus2to switch to a test mode. One of the exemplary embodiments, the processor20configures the first network interface21and the second network interface22to switch to the test mode via the transmission control module61.

One of the exemplary embodiments, after the first network interface21and the second network interface22switch to the test mode, the processor20may further initialize the count register52(hereinafter the first count register for abbreviation, the initialization may be configuring a first reading of the first count register as 0) of the first network interface21via the count control module62. Moreover, the processor20may further initialize the count register52(hereinafter the second count register for abbreviation, the initialization may be configuring a second reading of the second count register as 0) of the second network interface22via the count control module62.

Step S11: the processor20configures the first network interface61to start to transmit a plurality of test Ethernet frames via the transmission control module61.

One of the exemplary embodiments, the processor20may first enable the frame-generating module53(hereinafter first frame-generating module for abbreviation) of the first network interface21via the transmission control module61for making the first frame-generating module start to generate a plurality of test Ethernet frames.

Then, the processor20may enable the transmission register51(hereinafter the first transmission register for abbreviation) of the first network interface21via the transmission control module61, such as configuring a value of the first transmission register as 1, for making the first network interface21start to transmit a plurality of test Ethernet frames generated by the first frame-generating module to the second network interface22via the network cable25.

One of the exemplary embodiments, the processor20may time the default time interval via the timing module60simultaneously.

Step S12: the processor20counts a number of the test Ethernet frames had been transmitted via the count control module62.

One of the exemplary embodiments, the process20configures the first count register to start to count a number of the test Ethernet frame transmitted from the first network interface21, or configures the second count register to start to count a number of the test Ethernet frame received by the first network interface22.

Step S13: the processor20determines whether the default time interval elapses via the timing module60.

One of the exemplary embodiments, the processor20determines that the default time interval elapses if detecting a time-up signal triggering by the timing module60, and determines that the default time interval does not elapse if does not detecting the time-up signal.

If the default time interval had elapsed, the processor20performs the step S13again for determining whether the default time interval elapses continuously. Otherwise, the processor20performs a step S14.

Please be noted that, during the perform the first network interface21transmits a plurality of test Ethernet frames to the second network interface22continuously, the first count register of the first network interface21or the second count register of the second network interface22count the number of the test Ethernet frames had been transmitted or received continuously.

Step S14: the processor20configures the first network interface21to stop transmitting the test Ethernet frames via the transmission control module61.

One of the exemplary embodiments, the processor20disable the first transmission register via the transmission control module61, such as configuring the value of the first transmission register as 0, for making the first network interface21stop transmitting any test Ethernet frame to the second network interface22.

One of the exemplary embodiments, the processor20may further disable the first frame-generating module of the first network interface21for making the first frame-generating module stop generating the test Ethernet frames.

One of the exemplary embodiments, the processor20may further control the timing module60to stop timing simultaneously.

Step S15: the processor20retrieves the number of the test Ethernet frames had been transmitted during the default time interval via the count control module62, and determines whether the number of the test Ethernet frames is not less than a default value (speed default value), wherein the default corresponds to the maximum transition level of the first network interface21or the second network interface22.

One of the exemplary embodiments, the processor20may read a first reading from the first count register as the number of test Ethernet frames had been transmitted via the count control module62, or read a second reading from the second count register as the number of test Ethernet frames had been received.

One of the exemplary embodiments, the processor20may configure an average of the first reading and the second reading as the number of the test Ethernet frames, or select one of the first reading and the second reading as the number of the test Ethernet frames. For example, if the first reading is different from the second reading, the processor20may select the less one of the first reading and the second reading as the number of the test Ethernet frames.

For example, if a size of each of the test Ethernet frames is 1518 bytes, the maximum transition level of the first network interface21and the second network interface22is 1 Gbps, the default value described in the step S15may be 81275 or the other similar values (such as any value in a range of positive and negative 10% of 81275).

In another example, if the size of each of the test Ethernet frames is 1518 bytes, the maximum transition level of the first network interface21and the second network interface22is 10 Gbps, the default value described in the step S15may be 812744 or the other similar values (such as any value in a range of positive and negative 10% of 812744).

If the processor20determines the number of the test Ethernet frames is not less than the default value, performs a step S16. Otherwise, the processor20performs the step S17.

Step S16: the processor20generates a notification of pass in speed test via the notification module63, and outputs the generated notification of pass in speed test via the human-machine interface24for notifying the tester that an actual transmission speed of the first network interface21and the second network interface22is matched with their specifications.

Step S17: the processor20generates a notification of fail in speed test via the notification module63, and outputs the generated notification of fail in speed test via the human-machine interface24for notifying the tester that the actual transmission speed of the first network interface21and the second network interface22is not matched with their specifications.

Please be noted that above-mentioned notification of pass in speed test and notification of fail in speed test may be text message, voice message, indicator light message, or the other types of messages, but this specific example is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosed example.

The present disclosed example can test a transmission speed of a high-speed network apparatus effectively without any additional test apparatus, and can reduce a cost of test significantly.

Please be noted that although this embodiment takes it for example that a forward transmission test (the first network interface21is transmitting end, and the second network interface22is receiving end), but this specific example is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosed example. One of the exemplary embodiments, a reverse transmission test (the second network interface22is transmitting end, and the first network interface21is receiving end) may be provided and used.

Please be noted that, although this embodiment takes one-way transmission test for example, but this specific example is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosed example. One of the exemplary embodiments, bidirectional transmission test may be provided and used.

More specifically, the first network interface21may be the transmitting end and send the test Ethernet frames to the second network interface22via the network cable25. Moreover, the first network interface21may be receiving end simultaneously, and receive the test Ethernet frames transmitted from the second network interface22via the network cable25. In the same way, the second network interface22may be receiving end and receive the test Ethernet frames from the first network interface21via the network cable25. Moreover, the second network interface22may be transmitting end simultaneously, and transmit the test Ethernet frames transmitted to the first network interface21via the network cable25.

Furthermore, because each of the network interfaces may only comprise one count register, in this status, the second count register of the second network interface22must be configured to count the number of the test Ethernet frames transmitted by the second network interface22if the first count register of the first network interface21is configured to count the number of the test Ethernet frames transmitted by the first network interface21. Moreover, the second count register of the second network interface22must be configured to count the number of the test Ethernet frames received by the second network interface22if the first count register of the first network interface21is configured to count the number of the test Ethernet frames received by the first network interface21. Thus, each of the network interfaces according to this embodiment may implement the bidirectional transmission test via single count register.

One of the exemplary embodiments, there are two or more count registers arranged on each of the network interfaces. For example, the first network interface21may comprise a first transmission count register and a first reception count register, the second network interface22may comprise a second transmission count register and a second reception count register. During bidirectional transmission test, the first transmission count register of the first network interface21may count the number of the test Ethernet frames transmitted by the first network interface21, and the first reception count register of the first network interface21may count the number of the test Ethernet frames received by the first network interface21. Moreover, the second transmission count register of the second network interface22may count the number of the test Ethernet frames transmitted by the second network interface22, and the second reception count register of the second network interface22may count the number of the test Ethernet frames received by the second network interface22.

This embodiment can obtain the readings of each of the count registers of transmitting end and receiving end of each of the transmission directions effectively, and further determine whether any connection defect existed in any transmission direction (described later).

Please refer toFIG. 7andFIG. 8simultaneously,FIG. 8is a partial flowchart of a self-testing method according to the second embodiment of the present disclosed example. Compare to the self-testing method shown inFIG. 7, the step S11of the self-testing method shown inFIG. 811comprises following steps.

Step S20: the processor20enables the first frame-generating module of the first network interface21via transmission control module61for generating a plurality of test Ethernet frames.

Step S21: the processor20configures one or more parameter(s) of each of the test Ethernet frames (such as a source address, a target address and/or a data length of each of the test Ethernet frames) via the enabled first frame-generating module.

One of the exemplary embodiments, the first frame-generating module may configure the source address and/or the target address of each of the test Ethernet frames as fixed address (such as configuring the source address a 00:00:00:00:00:00, and configuring the target address as FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF), and configure the data length of each of the test Ethernet frames as maximum (such as 1518 bytes).

Please be noted that above-mentioned embodiment is mainly to configure the data length of each of the test Ethernet frames as maximum for generating large amount of data quickly, so as to make the amount of data generated per unit time (such as 1 second) be not slower than the amount of transportable data per unit time of the high-speed Ethernet. Thus, above-mentioned embodiment can prevent the test from fail caused by the speed of generating the data being slower than the transmission speed.

Besides, the transmission and arrival of any test Ethernet frame does not be affect even the source address and/or the target address of the test Ethernet frame exists fault because there is a one to one connection between the first network cable21and the second network interface22via the network cable25(in other words, the network cable does not connect the other network interface). Thus, the present disclosed example can quickly complete the configuration of large amount of the test Ethernet frames effectively via configuring the source address and the target address of each of the test Ethernet frames as the fixed address.

Step S22: the processor20configures the first network interface21to start to transmit the test Ethernet frames and start to time the default time interval via the transmission control module61.

One of the exemplary embodiments, the processor20enables the first transmission register to start to transmit the configured test Ethernet frames via the transmission control module61, and start to time the default time interval via the timing module60simultaneously.

Thus, the present disclosed example can quickly generate large amount of test Ethernet frames, quickly configure the large amount of test Ethernet frames, and transmit large amount of test Ethernet frames to outside, so as to be applicable to the transmission speed test for high-Speed Ethernet.

Please refer toFIG. 7andFIG. 9simultaneously;FIG. 9is a partial flowchart of a self-testing method according to the second embodiment of the present disclosed example. Compare to the self-testing method as shown inFIG. 7, the step S15of the self-testing method as shown inFIG. 9comprises following steps.

Step S30: the processor20retrieves the first reading which is the number of the test Ethernet frames transmitted by the first network interface21from the first count register via the count control module62.

Step S31: the processor20retrieves the second reading which is the number of the test Ethernet frames received by the second network interface22from the second count register via the count control module62.

Step S32: the processor20determines whether the first reading is matched with the second reading via the connection-checking module64.

If the processor20determines that the first reading is matched with the second reading, the processor20performs a step S33. Otherwise, the processor determines that the network cable25may exist a defect, and performs as step S34.

Step S33: the processor20determines whether the first reading and the second reading are less than a default value (speed default value).

If both the first reading and the second reading are less than the default value, the processor20determines that the transmission speed of the first network interface21and the second network interface22, and performs the step S16. If any of the first reading and the second reading is less than the default value, the processor20determines that the transmission speed of the first network interface21or the second network interface22fails in the test, and performs the step S17.

If the processor20determines that the network cable25probably exist any defect in the step S32, performs a step S34: the processor20controlling the human-machine interface24to issue a notification of connection defect via the notification module63for indicating the test that there is a defect existing in the network cable25, the first network interface21or the second network interface22.

Above-mentioned notification of connection defect may be text message, voice message, indicator light message, or the other types of messages, but this specific example is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosed example.

Please be noted that the first reading is matched with the second reading if the network cable25supports the high-speed Ethernet transmission and does not any defect. In other words, the number of the test Ethernet frames received by the second network interface22is matched with the number of the test Ethernet frames transmitted by the first network interface21.

Thus, the present disclosed example can determine whether there is any defect (such as do not supply the high-speed Ethernet transmission or damage) existing in the first network interface21, the second network interface22or the network cable25effectively.

Please refer toFIG. 7andFIG. 10simultaneously;FIG. 10is a partial flowchart of a self-testing method according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosed example. Compare to the self-testing method as shown inFIG. 7, the self-testing method of this embodiment may further test the other terms of performance of the first network interface21and the second network interface22, such as throughput, latency, lost rate of Ethernet frames or back-to-back value (buffering ability).

More specifically the self-testing method of this embodiment comprises following steps after the step S16or step S17.

Step S40: the processor20calculates throughput of transmission via throughput-calculating module65, and controls the human-machine interface24to display the calculated throughput of transmission via the notification module63.

One of the exemplary embodiments, the processor20adds up the data length of each of the test Ethernet frames transmitted during the default time interval for getting a total data length, and make the total data length divide by the default time interval for getting the throughput of transmission.

Step S41: the processor20calculates a latency of transmission via the latency-calculating module66, and controls the human-machine interface24to display the calculated latency of transmission via the notification module63.

One of the exemplary embodiments, the processor20may retrieve at least one transmission time of at least one test Ethernet frame transmitted by the first network interface21and at least one reception time of at least one test Ethernet frame received by the second network interface22. Then, the processor20calculates the latency of this transmission according to the retrieved transmission-time and receive-time.

One of the exemplary embodiments, the processor20first calculates the latency of transmission of each of the test Ethernet frames according to the transmission time and receive time of each of the test Ethernet frames, and then calculates the latency of transmission of this transmission according to the latencies of transmission of the test Ethernet frames (such as average calculation).

Step S42: the processor20calculates a lost rate of transmission via the lost-rate-calculating module67according to the number of the test Ethernet frames had been transmitted and a default number, and controls the human-machine interface24to display the calculated lost rate of transmission via the notification module63.

One of the exemplary embodiments, the processor20retrieves the default number transmitted expectantly from the frame-generating module53, and retrieves the second reading from the second count register as the number of the test Ethernet frames received actually. Then, the processor20calculates a difference (the number of test Ethernet frames failed in transmission) between the default number and the number of the test Ethernet frames received actually, and calculates a ratio of the difference to the default value as the lost rate of transmission.

Step S43: the processor20calculates a back-to-back value of transmission via the back-to-back-calculating module68, and controls the human-machine interface24to display the calculated back-to-back value via the notification module63.

One of the exemplary embodiments, the processor20controls the first network interface21to transmit the test Ethernet frames to the second network interface22with the maximum transmission speed25again via the network cable25. Moreover, the processor20controls the first network interface21to change the number of the test Ethernet frames simultaneously transmitted or the data length of each of test Ethernet frames during transmission. In other words, the processor20changes the continuous data length of the test Ethernet frames simultaneously transmitted. After completion of transmission, the processor20retrieves the maximum continuous data length (the test Ethernet frames corresponding to the maximum continuous data length had been transmitted successfully and simultaneously), and makes the maximum continuous data length as the back-to-back value of transmission of the first network interface21and the second network interface22.

The present disclosed example can test the throughput of transmission, the latency of transmission, the lost rate of transmission, and the back-to-back value of transmission of the high-speed network apparatus effectively.

The above-mentioned are only preferred specific examples in the present disclosed example, and are not thence restrictive to the scope of claims of the present disclosed example. Therefore, those who apply equivalent changes incorporating contents from the present disclosed example are included in the scope of this application, as stated herein.