Patent ID: 7804782

Claim:
A test packet generator comprising: a first test generator element configured to generate and transmit a synchronization packet and at least a first test packet frame including first and second test packets, said first and second test packets to include payload data including a test data pattern to detect a system error, said first test packet being separated from said second test packet by a first inter-packet gap, wherein said first test packet frame and a subsequent second test packet frame are separated by a second inter-frame gap, and wherein a size of the first inter-packet gap and the second inter-frame gap are programmable; a second test generator element configured to receive the synchronization packet and the at least first test packet frame and to generate first and second expected test packets; and a monitor element configured to compare at least a portion of the first and second test packets received in the at least first test packet frame with at least an associated portion of the first and second expected test packets, respectively, and to indicate occurrence of a system error in response to any portion of said comparison of the test packets and the expected test packets resulting in a mismatch.