Patent ID: 7925793

Claim:
A reconfigurable network card for a network test system, comprising: a packet switch having 2N switch ports, where N is an integer number greater than 1; N test modules; N network interface units, each having a first end and a second end, the second end adapted to be connected to a network; and N bypass units, each bypass unit uniquely associated with one of the N test modules, one of the N network interface units, and two switch ports of the 2N switch ports of the packet switch, each bypass unit coupled to each of the associated test module, the first end of the associated network interface unit, and the two associated switch ports by respective data paths; wherein each bypass unit has a first mode wherein the associated test module is placed in direct communication with the first end of the associated network interface unit, and a second mode wherein the associated test module is placed in communication with one of the two associated switch ports and the associated network interface unit is placed in communication with the other of the two associated switch ports.