Patent Publication Number: US-9838293-B2

Title: Throughput test method and apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present document relates to the field of data transmission, and more particularly, to a throughput test method and apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED ART 
     Throughput refers to the maximum transmission rate at which a network device sends and receives frames under the condition that there is no frame loss. It is one of the most important indicators reflecting the performance of a network device. The value of a network device&#39;s throughput will be different when the network device is in a different operating modes or different environments. Generally, we respectively perform a bi-directional throughput test for data frames with the sizes of 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024, 1280 and 1518 bytes during the test, to obtain the maximum transmission rate under the condition that there is no frame loss. Throughput is generally indicated in two ways, one is using percentage (TP % ) for indicating, and the other one is using frames/sec (TP pps ) for indicating, and the representations of these two throughputs can be mutually converted through the following formula:
 
 B   bps   ×TP   %   =TP   pps ×( L   f   +L   c )
 
     wherein B bps  on the left side of the formula is the theoretical bandwidth (Unit: bits/sec) of the network device; TP %  is the percentage of the throughput; and B bps ×TP %  represents the total number of bits that the network device can transmit within one second; TP pps  on the right side of the formula is the value of the throughput in frames/second; L f  is the length (Unit: bits) of the Ethernet data frame used in the current test; L c  is a constant 160 (Unit: bits), because the front of each Ethernet frame has an extra overhead of 160 bits, that is, 8 bytes of preamble plus 12 bytes of inter-frame space; and (L f +L c ) indicates the number of bits actually transmitted in the Ethernet data frame. 
     In the related art, professional testers are used to test the throughput of a network device to be tested, for example, using the tester Smartbits to test the throughput of a network device to be tested by using the dichotomy approximation method comprises the following steps: 
     step (1), the Smartbits device creates the Ethernet data frame flow F, and the length of a data frame is defined as 64 bytes, the size of the flow F is initialized as the theoretical throughput value TP pps  of the network device, namely, the TP %  corresponding to the TP pps  equals 100%. 
     Step (2), the Smartbits device starts sending the Ethernet data frame flow F from the sending port A to the receiving port B of the network device. 
     Step (3), after receiving the flow F from the receiving port B, the network device processes and then sends the flow F from the sending port C to the receiving port D of the Smartbits device. 
     Step (4), the Smartbits device receives the Ethernet data frame flow F from the receiving port D. 
     Step (5), after the time period of T s  (such as 1 minute), the Smartbits device stops sending the Ethernet data frame flow F and analyzes the statistics of the received and sent frames, and the specific analysis is described as follows: 
     (a) if no frame loss occurs when TP % =100%, the throughput test is completed, and the throughput of the network device is 100%; 
     (b) if a frame loss occurs when TP % =100%, it is to decrease the flow rate TP %  from 100% to 50%, then proceed to step (2) to retest. 
     (c) if no frame loss occurs when TP % =50%, it is to increase the flow rate TP %  from 50% to 75%, then proceed to step (2) to retest; 
     (d) if a frame loss still occurs when TP % =50%, it is to decrease the flow rate TP %  from 50% to 25%, then proceed to step (2) to retest. (6) after repeating the test for several times, eventually an accurate throughput 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     However, the research by the inventors of the present application found that the abovementioned technology at least has the following technical problems: 
     since the network device cannot perform an automatic test for throughput, and a professional tester has to be used, there exists the technical problem that the throughput test cannot be carried out in the absence of a test instrument or the test instrument cannot work; 
     In addition, since an extra test instrument is needed, the costs of throughput test also increase. 
     The embodiment of the present invention provides a throughput test method, to solve the technical problem in the related art that the throughput test cannot be carried out in the absence of a test instrument or the test instrument cannot work, so as to achieve the technical effect of using a network device to automatically test the throughput. 
     The embodiment of the present invention provides a throughput test method, comprising: 
     a first network device generating a periodic detection message through a data processor; 
     the first network device sending the detection message to a second network device to be tested, wherein a first throughput value of the first network device is greater than or equal to a second throughput value of the second network device; 
     the first network device receiving a loopback detection message looped back by the second network device; 
     the first network device obtaining a first quantity value of the detection messages, as well as a second quantity value of the loopback detection messages; and 
     the first network device obtaining a second throughput value characterizing a throughput of the second network device through the data processor based on the first setting S to 0, wherein the S is the first quantity value characterizing the detection messages; 
     setting R to 0, wherein the R is the second quantity value characterizing the loopback detection messages; 
     setting C LP  to C, wherein the value of C is obtained based on the formula B bps ×TP % /(L f +L c )×T s , wherein B bps  characterizes the theoretical broadband of the second network device, TP %  characterizes the percentage of the throughput of the second network device, L f +L c  characterizes the actual transmission value of data frames, and C LP  is a third quantity value characterizing the remaining detection messages needing to be sent in this test process; and 
     setting a timer T CPU  to T s  seconds, wherein the timer T CPU  is configured to control the data processor to generate a periodic detection message. 
     Alternatively, the step of the first network device generating a periodic detection message through the data processor and sending the detection message to the second network device to be tested comprises: 
     obtain a template message, through the data processor, created by a template message creation module in the first network device; 
     based on the template message, generating the periodic detection message through the data processor; 
     perform a traffic shaping on the detection message through the data processor, so that when the network is congested, making the first network device send the detection message at a constant rate; and; 
     sending the traffic shaped detection message to the second network device to be tested. 
     Alternatively, the step of sending the traffic shaped detection message to the second network device to be tested comprises: 
     the first network device sending C detection messages to the second network device, wherein C is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and C LP =C; 
     after each time when the detection message is sent, the first quantity value S characterizing the detection messages being added by 1; when S=C, stopping sending the detection message. 
     Alternatively, the step of generating the periodic detection message through the data processor based on the template message comprises: 
     detecting whether there is an interrupt event occurring or not through the data processor; 
     when there is an interrupt event occurring, generating the periodic detection message through the data processor based on the template message; 
     wherein the interrupt rate value of the interrupt event occurring is greater than or equal to the second throughput value characterizing the throughput of the second network device. 
     Alternatively, the loopback detection message is: 
     a message sent via a sending/receiving port of the second network device to the first network device after the second network device receives and processes the detection message. 
     Alternatively, after the step of the first network device receiving a loopback detection message looped back by the second network device, the method further comprises: 
     processing the loopback detection message; judging validity of the loopback detection message; and 
     when the loopback detection message is valid, adding the second quantity value R characterizing the loopback detection messages by 1. 
     Alternatively, the step of the first network device obtaining the second throughput value characterizing the throughput of the second network device through the data processor based on the first quantity value and the second quantity value comprises: 
     when the counting time of a timer in the first network device is greater than is equal to preset time, comparing the first quantity value with the second quantity value to obtain a comparison result; 
     when the comparison result shows that the first quantity value is equal to the second quantity value, determining the test throughput value obtained when the first quantity value is equal to the second quantity value as the second throughput value, wherein the second throughput value is the second network device&#39;s real throughput value. 
     The embodiment of the present invention further provides a network device, comprising: a sending/receiving port, a template message creation module and a data processor connected to the sending/receiving port, wherein 
     the template message creation module is configured to: create a template message; 
     the data processor is configured to: generate a periodic detection message based on the template message; send the detection message to a second network device to be tested through the sending/receiving port, wherein a first throughput value of the network device is greater than or equal to a second throughput value of the second network device; receive a loopback detection message looped back by the second network device through the sending/receiving port, and obtain a first quantity value of the detection messages, as well as a second quantity value of the loopback detection messages; and obtain the second throughput value characterizing the throughput of the second network device by using the data processor based on the first quantity value and the second quantity value. 
     Alternatively, a first network protocol supported by the network device and a second network protocol supported by the second network device are the same network protocol. 
     Alternatively, the network device further comprises 
     an initialization setting unit, configured to: perform an initialization setting on system resources of the network device. 
     Alternatively, the initialization setting unit comprises: 
     a first setting unit, configured to: set S to 0, wherein the S is the first quantity value characterizing the detection messages; 
     a second setting unit, configured to: set R to 0, wherein the R is the second quantity value characterizing the loopback detection messages; 
     a third setting unit, configured to: set C LP  to C, wherein the value of C is obtained based on the formula B bps ×TP % /(L f +L c )×T s , wherein C is an integer greater than or equal to 1, B bps  characterizes the theoretical broadband of the second network device, TP %  characterizes the percentage of the throughput of the second network device, L f +L c  characterizes the actual transmission value of data frames, and C LP  is a third quantity value characterizing the remaining detection messages needing to be sent in this test process; and 
     a fourth setting unit, configured to: set the timer T CPU  to T s  seconds, wherein the timer T CPU  is configured to control the data processor to generate a periodic detection message. 
     Alternatively, the data processor comprises: 
     a detection message generation unit, configured to generate the periodic detection message through the data processor based on the template message; 
     a shaping unit, configured to: perform traffic shaping on the detection message through the data processor. 
     Alternatively, the detection message generation unit comprises: 
     an interrupt detection unit, configured to: detect whether there is an interrupt event occurring or not; 
     a generation unit, configured to: when there is an interrupt event occurring, generate the periodic detection message through the data processor based on the template message; 
     wherein the interrupt rate value of the interrupt event occurring is greater than or equal to the second throughput value characterizing the throughput of the second network device. 
     Alternatively, the data processor further comprises: 
     a comparison unit, configured to: when the counting time of a timer in the network device is greater than or equal to preset time, compare the first quantity value with the second quantity value to obtain a comparison result; 
     a determination unit, configured to: when the comparison result shows that the first quantity value is equal to the second quantity value, determine the test throughput value obtained when the first quantity value is equal to the second quantity value as the second throughput value, wherein the second throughput value is the second network device&#39;s real throughput value. 
     One or more technical solutions provided in the embodiment of the present invention at least have the following technical effects or advantages: 
     (1) since the technical means of using a network device to simulate a professional tester is used, it solves the technical problem that the throughput test cannot be carried out in the absence of a test instrument or the test instrument cannot work, and it further has the technical effect of using the network device to automatically test the throughput. 
     (2) At the same time, it solves the problem that an extra professional test instrument is needed, and it further has the technical effect of reducing the costs of throughput test. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a structural diagram of modules of a first network device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a flow chart of a throughput test method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart of performing an initialization setting on system resources of the first network device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart of the first network device generating a periodic detection message in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart of the first network device sending the detection message to the second network device to be tested in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. It should be noted that in the case of no conflict, embodiments of the present application and features in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined with each other. 
     The embodiment of the present invention provides a throughput test method, to solve the technical problem in the related art that the throughput test cannot be carried out in the absence of a test instrument or the test instrument cannot work, so as to achieve the technical effect of using a network device to automatically test the throughput. 
     In the embodiment of the present invention, the process of using a first network device having a data processor in the communication network to implement a throughout test comprises: 
     the first network device generating a periodic detection message through the data processor; 
     the first network device sending the detection message to a second network device to be tested, wherein a first throughput value of the first network device is greater than or equal to a second throughput value of the second network device; 
     the first network device receiving a loopback detection message looped back by the second network device; 
     the first network device obtaining a first quantity value of the detection messages, as well as a second quantity value of the loopback detection messages; and 
     the first network device obtaining the second throughput value characterizing a throughput of the second network device through the data processor based on the first quantity value and the second quantity value. 
     It can be seen that based on the scheme of the embodiment of the present invention, the technical problem in the related art, that the throughput test cannot be carried out in the absence of a test instrument or the test instrument cannot work, can be effectively solved, so as to achieve the technical effect of using a network device to automatically test the throughput. 
     Hereinafter in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, the abovementioned technical scheme will be described in detail. 
     The throughput test method in the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a first network device in a communication network, and the throughput of a second network device to be tested can be tested in the communication network through the first network device. 
     The first network device may be a variety of network devices such as switches in the communication network, in the embodiment of the present invention, and the applicants will not limit the types of the first network device, but the first network device should have the data processing function and support the same network protocol as the second network device. 
       FIG. 1  is a structural diagram of modules of the first network device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Refer to  FIG. 1 , the first network device  10  applied in the throughput test method in the embodiment of the present invention comprises: 
     a sending/receiving port  101 , 
     a template message creation module  102 , 
     a data processor  103  connected to the sending/receiving port  101 , wherein 
     the template message creation module  102  is configured to: create a template message; 
     the data processor  103  is configured to: generate a periodic detection message based on the template message; send the detection message via the sending/receiving port  101  to the second network device  30  to be tested, wherein the first throughput value of the first network device  10  is greater than or equal to the second throughput value of the second network device  30 ; receive the loopback detection message looped back by the second network device  30  through the sending/receiving port  101 , and obtain a first quantity value of the detection messages, as well as a second quantity value of the loopback detection messages; and obtain the second throughput value characterizing the throughput of the second network device  30  through the data processor  103  based on the first quantity value and the second quantity value. 
     Hereinafter, combining  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the throughput test method in the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.  FIG. 2  is a flow chart of the throughput test method in the embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in  FIG. 2 , it comprises the following steps. 
     In step  201 , it is to perform an initialization setting on system resources of the first network device  10 . 
     Alternatively, the implementation process of step  201  is shown in  FIG. 3 , and comprises the following steps. 
     In step  2011 , it is to set S to 0, wherein the S is the first quantity value characterizing the detection messages. 
     In step  2012 , it is to set R to 0, wherein the R is the second quantity value characterizing the loopback detection messages. 
     In step  2013 , it is to set C LP  to C, wherein the value of C is obtained based on the formula B bps ×TP % /(L f +L c )×T s , herein it needs to assume a value of TP % , and this value is the throughout value of the second network device in this test, wherein B bps  characterizes the theoretical broadband of the second network device, TP %  characterizes the percentage of the throughput of the second network device, L f +L c  characterizes the actual transmission value of data frames, and C LP  is a third quantity value characterizing the remaining detection messages needing to be sent in this test process. 
     In step  2014 , it is to set the timer T CPU  to T s  seconds, wherein T s  is a preset time value, wherein the timer T CPU  is configured to control the data processor to generate a periodic detection message. 
     After finishing initializing the system resources of the first network device  10  via the step  201 , the method in the embodiment of the present invention proceeds to step  202 . 
     In step  202 , it is to generate a periodic detection message through the data processor  103 . 
     In the implementation process, the step  202  comprises: 
     creating a template message; generating a periodic detection message through the data processor  103  based on the template message; 
     In the implementation process, the step of creating a template message can be achieved through software programming, wherein the programming language can be JAVA or C++; of course, one of ordinary persons skilled in the art can also create the template message in the way of hardware. 
     In the implementation process, the step of generating the periodic detection message through the data processor  103  based on the template message comprises: 
     detecting whether there an interrupt event occurring or not; 
     when there is an interrupt event occurring, generating the periodic detection message through the data processor  103  based on the template message; wherein the interrupt rate value of the interrupt event occurring is greater than or equal to the second throughput value characterizing the throughput of the second network device  30 . 
     In the implementation process, before detecting whether there is an interrupt event occurring or not, an interrupt rate value can be preset, and the interrupt rate value is greater than or equal to the throughput value of the second network device  30  to be tested. 
     To make those skilled in the art more clearly understand the implementation process of the step  202 , the implementation process of the step  202  will be described in detail with combination of  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , it comprises the following steps. 
     In step  2021 , it is to set an interrupt rate. 
     In step  2022 , it is to create a template message. 
     In step  2023  it is to detect whether there is an interrupt event occurring or not. 
     In step  2024 , when there is an interrupt event occurring, it is to generate a detection message for each interrupt event based on the template message. 
     The detection message can be a LBM (LoopBack Message) based on the OAM (Operation Administration and Maintenance) protocol, and at this time, the loopback detection message corresponding to the LBM is a LBR (LoopBack Reply) message. 
     The detection message can also be a message supported by other network protocols supported by the first network device  10  and the second network device  30  to be tested, and herein the types of the message are not limited, and as long as the types of message are included in the network protocols jointly supported by the first network device  10  and the second network device  30 , they are within the scope of the detection message in the present document. 
     After performing the step  202 , the method in the embodiment of the present invention proceeds to step  203 . 
     In step  203 , it is to send the detection message to the second network device  30  to be tested, wherein the first throughput value of the first network device  10  is greater than or equal to the second throughput value of the second network device  30 . 
     In the implementation process, the step  203  comprises: 
     performing traffic shaping on the detection message through the data processor  103 ; 
     sending the traffic-shaped detection message to the second network device  30  to be tested. 
     The traffic shaping is needed herein in order to ensure that when the network is congested, the first network device  10  can send the detection message at a constant rate. 
     In the implementation process, in order to ensure that the traffic sent by the first device  10  to the second network device  30  to be tested is uniform and prevent a burst of flow from affecting the final test result, the implementation way of traffic shaping can be setting a maximum transmission rate r m  at the sending/receiving port  101  of the first network device  10 , and when the traffic at the sending/receiving port  101  of the first network device  10  is greater than r m , the traffic which is unable to be immediately sent at the sending/receiving port  101  will be temporarily cached, then the traffic will continue to be sent at the rate of r m , therefore there is not a burst of heavy flow occurring at the sending/receiving port  101  of the first network device  10 , which can effectively guarantee that the second network device  30  will not have network congestion. 
     The shaping function may be a traffic shaping function configured on a dedicated loopback interface of a network processor or switch chip having the data processing function. 
     In the embodiment of the present invention, when performing the step  203 , the first network device  10  sends C detection messages to the second network device  30  to be tested, wherein the value of C is determined in the initialization setting and obtained according to the formula B bps ×TP % /(L f +L c )×T s , wherein TP %  is the preset throughout value of the second network device  30  to be tested in this test; and C is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1. 
     After each time when the first network device  10  sends the detection message to the second network device  30  to be tested, the value of S which is used to count the number of sent detection messages is added by 1, while the value of C LP  which is used to count the number of remaining detection messages to be sent is subtracted by 1, and when C LP =S, the first network device  10  stops sending the detection message to the second network device  30 . 
     In the implementation process, the implementation process of the step  203  is shown in  FIG. 5  and comprises the following steps. 
     In  2031 , it is to set the shaping function. 
     In  2032 , it is to send the detection message sent by the first network device  20  to a shaping function module for performing traffic shaping. 
     In step  2033 , the first network device  10  sends the shaped detection message to the second network device  30  to be tested. 
     In step  2034 , the first quantity value S characterizing the sent detection messages is added by 1, and the C LP  is subtracted by 1. 
     In  2035 , when C LP =S, the first network device  10  stops sending the detection message to the second network device  30  to be tested. 
     After sending the detection message to the second network device  30  to be tested in the step  203 , the method in the embodiment of the present invention proceeds to step  204 . 
     In step  204 , it is to receive a loopback detection message looped back by the second network device  30 . 
     In the implementation process, the loopback detection message can be: a message sent via the sending/receiving port of the second network device  30  to the first network device  10  after the second network device  30  receives and processes the detection message. 
     In the implementation process, the step  204  comprises: 
     processing the received loopback detection message; detecting whether the loopback detection message is a valid message or not; if the loopback detection message is a valid message, the second quantity value R characterizing the loopback detection messages added by 1. 
     In the implementation process, when processing the loopback detection message, the network protocol used is a network protocol corresponding to the loopback detection message. 
     The implementation process of the step  204  comprises: the first network device  10  receiving a loopback detection message; sending the loopback detection message to the first network protocol for processing to test whether the loopback detection message is a valid message or not; when the loopback detection message is a valid message, the R added by 1. 
     The second network device  30  obtains the loopback detection message with the following steps: 
     the second network device  30  receives a detection message sent by the first network device  10 ; 
     the second network device  30  sends the detection message to the second network protocol for processing, to generate a loopback detection message. 
     After receiving the loopback detection message in step  204 , the method in the embodiment of the present invention proceeds to step  205 . 
     In step  205 , it is to obtain a first quantity value of the detection messages, as well as a second quantity value of the loopback detection messages. 
     In the implementation process, the obtained first quantity value and second quantity value are directly displayed by the first setting unit  1041  and second setting unit  1042  in the initialization setting unit  104 . 
     In the implementation process, when obtaining the first quantity value S of the detection messages as well as the second quantity value R of the loopback detection messages in step  205 , the counting process is not after step  201 , step  202 , step  203  and step  204 , but it has already begun counting in the testing process, that is, at each time when the first network device  10  sends the detection message, the S is added by 1, at each time when the first network device  10  receives the loopback detection message looped back by the second network device  30  to be tested, the R is added by 1. 
     After step  205 , the embodiment of the present invention proceeds to step  206 . 
     In step  206 , it is to obtain the second throughput value characterizing the throughput of the second network device  30  through the data processor  103  based on the first quantity value and the second quantity value. 
     The step  206  comprises: when the counting time of the timer T CPU  in the first network device  10  is greater than or equal to the preset time T s , the current test ends, comparing the first quantity value with the second quantity value to obtain a comparison result. 
     When the comparison result shows that the first quantity value is equal to the second quantity value, it is to determine the test throughput value obtained when the first quantity value is equal to the second quantity value as the second throughput value, wherein the second throughput value is the second network device  30 &#39;s real throughput value. 
     In the implementation process, the implementation process of step  206  comprises: when the timer T CPU  in the first network device  10  exceeds the preset time T s , the test process ends; the data processor  103  in the first network device  10  compares the value of S with the value of R and uses the dichotomy approximation method to determine the throughput value of the second network device  30  to be tested. 
     In the implementation process, the analysis process of the first network device  10  determining the throughput value of the second network device  30  to be tested is described as follows: 
     (A) if S&gt;R, it indicates that there is frame loss in this test process, and it needs to decrease the throughput value TP %  in this test according to the dichotomy approximation method, and then it starts the next test from step  201 ; 
     (B) if S=R, it indicates that there is no frame loss in this test process, if the throughput value TP %  in this test is 100%, then testing stops, and if TP %  is not 100%, then the TP %  is increased according to the dichotomy approximation method, and then it starts the next test from step  201 ; and the test is repeated and repeated to obtain a sufficiently accurate value approximating the actual throughput value of the second network device  30  to be tested. 
     Through the method in the embodiment of the present invention, in the case without the aid of a professional tester, by using a network device with built-in data processing function to simulate a professional tester and cooperating with the network protocol, the throughput test of a network device is implemented. 
     The embodiment of the present invention further provides a network device having the data processing function as the first network device  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , in the embodiment of the present invention, the first network device  10  comprises: 
     a sending/receiving port  101 , configured to: send a detection message generated by the first network device  10  and receive a loopback detection message looped back by the second network device  30  to be tested; 
     a template message creation module  102 , configured to: create a template message; and 
     a data processor  103 , connected to the sending/receiving port  101 . 
     the data processor  103  is configured to: generate a periodic detection message based on the template message; send the detection message to the second network device  30  to be tested through the sending/receiving port  101 ; receive a loopback detection message looped back by the second network device  30  through the sending/receiving port  101 , and obtain a first quantity value of the detection messages, as well as a second quantity value of the loopback detection messages; and obtain the second throughput value characterizing the throughput of the second network device  30  through the data processor  103  based on the first quantity value and the second quantity value. 
     In the implementation process, the template message creation module  102  can be implemented in a way of software, such as using language such as JAVA, C++ to write the template message program; or in a way of hardware, such as a built-in template message unit. 
     In the implementation process, the data processor  103  may be a network processor or a switch chip, and the applicants do not limit the types of the data processor, and all the data processors having the data processing function should be included in the range of data processor of the present document. 
     In the implementation process, the data processor  103  comprises: 
     a detection message generation unit  1031 , configured to generate a periodic detection message through the data processor  103  in the first network device  10  based on the template message; 
     a shaping unit  1032 , configured to: use the data processor  103  to shape the detection message. 
     In the implementation process, the shaping unit  1032  can be a traffic shaping unit configured on a dedicated loopback interface of the data processor  103  in the first network device  10 . 
     In the implementation process, the detection message generation unit  1031  comprises: 
     an interrupt detection unit  10311 , configured to: detect whether there is an interrupt event occurring or not; 
     a generation unit  10312 , configured to: when there is an interrupt event occurring, generate the periodic detection message through the data processor  103  based on the template message; wherein the interrupt rate value of the interrupt event occurring is greater than or equal to the second throughput value of the second network device  30 . 
     In the implementation process, the data processor  103  further comprises: 
     a comparison unit  1033 , configured to: when the counting time of the timer in the first network device  10  is greater than is equal to preset time, compare the first quantity value with the second quantity value to obtain a comparison result; 
     a determination unit  1034 , configured to: when the comparison result shows that the first quantity value is equal to the second quantity value, determine the test throughput value obtained when the first quantity value is equal to the second quantity value as the second throughput value, wherein the second throughput value is the second network device&#39;s real throughput value. 
     In the implementation process, the first network device  10  further comprises 
     an initialization setting unit  104 , configured to: perform an initialization setting on system resources of the first network device  10 . 
     The initialization setting unit  104  comprises: 
     a first setting unit  1041 , configured to: set S to 0, wherein the S is the first quantity value characterizing the detection messages; 
     a second setting unit  1042 , configured to: set R to 0, wherein the R is the second quantity value characterizing the loopback detection messages; 
     a third setting unit  1043 , configured to: set C LP  to C, wherein the value of C is obtained based on the formula B bps ×TP % /(L f +L c )×T s , wherein C is an integer greater than or equal to 1, B bps  characterizes the theoretical broadband of the second network device  30 , TP %  characterizes the percentage of the throughput of the second network device, L f +L c  characterizes the actual transmission value of data frames, and C LP  is a third quantity value characterizing the remaining detection messages needing to be sent in this test process; and 
     a fourth setting unit  1044 , configured to: set the timer T CPU  to T s  seconds, wherein the timer T CPU  is configured to control the data processor  103  to generate a periodic detection message. 
     Through one or more technical schemes in the embodiment of the present invention, at least the following technical effects can be achieved: 
     (1) since the technical means of using a network device to simulate a professional tester is used, it solves the technical problem that the throughput test cannot be carried out in the absence of a test instrument or the test instrument cannot work, and it further has the technical effect of using the network device to automatically test the throughput. 
     (2) At the same time, it solves the problem that an extra professional test instrument is needed, and further has the technical effect of reducing the costs of throughput test. 
     Those ordinarily skilled in the art can understand that all or some of steps of the abovementioned method may be completed by the programs instructing the relevant hardware, and the abovementioned programs may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, such as read only memory, magnetic or optical disk. Alternatively, all or some of the steps of the abovementioned embodiments may also be implemented by using one or more integrated circuits. Accordingly, each module/unit in the abovementioned embodiments may be realized in a form of hardware, or in a form of software function modules. The present document is not limited to any specific form of hardware and software combinations. 
     Obviously, a person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications according to the embodiment of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present document. Therefore, provided that these changes and modifications of the embodiment of the present invention belong to the scope of the claims of the present document or their equivalents, the present document also intends to include these changes and modifications. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     In the embodiment of the present invention, since the technical means of using a network device to simulate a professional tester is used, it solves the technical problem that the throughput test cannot be carried out in the absence of a test instrument or the test instrument cannot work, and it further has the technical effect of using the network device to automatically test the throughput; it further solves the problem that an extra professional test instrument is needed, and further has the technical effect of reducing the costs of throughput test.