Patent ID: 8401061

Claim:
A system for testing a C-type modem of a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), the DSLAM including a plurality of C-type modems, each of which includes an Ethernet input/output port and a DSL input/output port and which is operative for converting Ethernet packets into DSL signals and vice versa, a switch matrix operative for individually coupling the DSL port of each C-type modem to a DSL test port of the DSLAM, and a first Ethernet switch operative for individually coupling an Ethernet line to an Ethernet test port of the DSLAM, the system comprising: a first test unit which includes an Ethernet input/output port and a DSL input/output port and which is operative for converting Ethernet packets into DSL signals and vice versa, wherein the DSL port and the Ethernet port of the first test unit are communicatively coupled to the DSL and Ethernet test ports of the DSLAM, respectively; a second Ethernet switch coupled to the Ethernet line away from the first Ethernet switch of the DSLAM; an R-type modem which includes an Ethernet input/output port and a DSL input/output port and which is operative for converting Ethernet packets into DSL signals and vice versa; and a second test unit which includes an Ethernet input/output port and a DSL input/output port, and which is operative for converting Ethernet packets into DSL signals and vice versa, wherein the DSL port of the R-type modem is communicatively coupled to the DSL port of the second test unit and the Ethernet port of the second test unit is communicatively coupled to the second Ethernet switch, wherein: the R-type modem is operative for outputting a first set of DSL signals to the DSL port of the second test unit; the second test unit is operative for converting the first set of DSL signals received at the DSL port thereof into the first set of Ethernet packets that are transmitted to the Ethernet port of the first test unit via the first and second Ethernet switches, the Ethernet line and the Ethernet test port of the DSLAM; and the first test unit is operative for converting the first set of Ethernet packets received at the Ethernet port thereof into the first set of DSL signals which are output to the DSL port of one of the C-type modems via the switch matrix and the DSL test port of the DSLAM.