Patent ID: 8706862

Claim:
A method to measure data link layer performance between network nodes, the method comprising: communicatively coupling a first intelligent network interface to a first access port of a first network node that provides access to a network; subsequent to the coupling, receiving, at the first intelligent network interface and via the network, a destination address for a second intelligent network interface to which test messages for measuring data link layer performance are to be sent, the destination address for the second intelligent network interface being included in a remote configuration command received in response to the first intelligent network interface initiating multiple heartbeat signals after being communicatively coupled to the first access port; and transmitting, while a device communicatively coupled to a second access port of the first network node is able to exchange network traffic with the network through the second access port, the test messages from the first intelligent network interface to the destination address for the second intelligent network interface using data link layer addressing to route the test messages through the first access port, the first network node and a second network node to which the second intelligent network interface is communicatively coupled.