Abstract: An application-generic sequence diagram generator is driven by a non-proprietary language. According to one embodiment, a source file describes, in a non-proprietary language, a flow (e.g., a message exchange) of an application. An automatic sequence diagram generator is operable to receive as input the source file, and generate, based on such source file, a sequence diagram representing the flow described by the source file. In an exemplary embodiment, the non-proprietary language is a markup language, such as Extensible Markup Language (XML). The sequence diagram generator is general purpose (or “application-generic”), as it can generate a sequence diagram representing the flow of any application described in the source file. The application for which the source file describes the flow may be any type of application, including without limitation a computer-executable software application, a communication protocol, or any message exchange between actors.

Abstract: Automated characterization of network traffic. A method may include compiling and/or receiving network traffic data based on the network traffic, preparing a network traffic characterization based on the network traffic data, and generating outgoing network traffic scripts based on the network traffic characterization. A method may also include capturing network traffic and generating test network traffic based on the scripts. A system on which the method may be executed may include one or more chassis and/or computing devices, each having one or more network cards. The chassis and/or computing devices may be connected to one or more networks and to one another. The networks may include a production network and a test network. A system may include a data collector, a characterization engine, and a script generator, and may also include a traffic generator.

Abstract: There are disclosed processes and systems relating to protocol stacks. The protocol stack may be run entirely in a single memory space. There may be a communal memory region available to certain layers of the protocol stack. The layers of the protocol stack may form condensed versions of data and headers, and data units may be formed by hardware within the device when needed. After transmission, data units may be immediately deleted but recreated if needed for retransmission.

Abstract: Memory access optimization and communications statistics computation are disclosed. A method may include receiving data unit information for a plurality of data units. Versions of partial network traffic statistic for the data units based on a current data unit may be prepared. A version of the partial network traffic statistic may be stored sequentially in round robin fashion in each of a plurality of banks of a memory. The method may also include receiving a request for full network traffic statistic and preparing the full network traffic based on each set of the partial network traffic statistics. The full network traffic statistics may be provided to the requestor. The methods may be achieved on a network card in a network testing system or via software executing in a network testing system.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for memory access optimization are disclosed. Data unit information may be accumulated for a plurality of data units. Partial network statistics for the plurality of data units may be read sequentially in round robin fashion from each of a plurality of memory banks of a memory. The partial networks statistics may be updated based on the plurality of data units. The updated partial network statistics may be written sequentially in round robin fashion to each of the plurality of memory banks.

Abstract: There is disclosed a packet generator and method of generating a packet flow. The packet generator may include a plurality of parallel transmit engines to form packets for transmission and a multiplexer to coherently interleave packets formed by the plurality of transmit engines.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods, computer readable media, and apparatus for generation of processed traffic. Traffic, including plural data units for transmission to a first endpoint, may be provided. The provided traffic may be processed and held until a predefined amount of processed traffic has accumulated. The held traffic may then be released for transmission to the first endpoint.

Abstract: There is disclosed methods, a computing device, a storage medium, and an apparatus for testing a network. Received packets may have two or more packet group identification fields. The packet group identification fields may be combined to generate a packet group number. The packet group number may be generated by first masking unused bits of the packet group identification fields and then concatenating the unmasked bits. Test statistics may be measured, accumulated, and stored for one or more packet groups comprising packets having the same packet group number.

Abstract: Automated capturing and characterization of network traffic using feedback is described. A method may include capturing network traffic, compiling network traffic data based on the network traffic, analyzing the network traffic data, and automatically providing instructions based on the analyzing to control the capturing and the compiling. A system on which the method may execute may include one or more chassis or computing devices having one or more network cards. The chassis and/or the computing devices may be connected to one or more networks, and may be connected to one another. A system that implements the method may include collectors, characterization units, and a feedback controller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for connection verification. An embodiment includes a DSL based system, with a tester resident at a central office respective to a DSLAM. When a problem is encountered by a subscriber, the tester can be readily connected to the DSLAM to allow performance of tests on the connection between the tester, the DSLAM and the Internet. If such tests are successful, then service provider can eliminate that portion of the link as the source of the connectivity problem. If unsuccessful, the service provider can repair that portion of the connection, and thereby potentially obviate the need to send a technician to the subscriber premises.

Abstract: There are disclosed processes and systems relating to simulated real-time packet generation to test a communications network. A first packet stream is defined and transmitted. Each packet in the first packet stream is composed from a first background data field and one or more user defined fields that overlay the first background data field.

Abstract: Hardware time stamping is disclosed. In a method, a transmit time stamp may be added to an outgoing data unit in hardware prior to transmitting the outgoing data unit over a communications medium. The outgoing data unit may be received from a processor and may be intended for a node. The outgoing data unit may be transmitted over the communications medium to the node. An incoming data unit may be received over the communications medium. A receive time stamp may be added to the incoming data unit in hardware before the incoming data unit is provided to the processor. The method may be achieved on a hardware device included on a board in a network testing system.

Abstract: Methods and hardware for combining multiple, independent, wireless station (or user) emulating, load generators into a cluster, which is a group of independent wireless network load emulators working together to provide arbitrarily large, coordinated 802.11 user communities. A single command, control, and reporting mechanism establishes connections to the load generator nodes making up the cluster, distributes work to the nodes, and collects statistical data from the nodes. Alternate routing simplifies the routing of commands, control requests, and requests for statistical results when only a single load generator node is addressed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for testing performance of an system under test are disclosed. The system under test is loaded with simulated traffic which may be generated from a single test port. The performance of the system under test under load may be tested.

Abstract: Data communication optimization is disclosed. In a method, when data transmission is requested, an outgoing data unit is prepared with dummy payload data. In a method, when data reception is requested, the header and validation information from an incoming data unit is provided while the payload of the data unit is ignored. The methods cause an increase in the throughput of a network card when transmitting and/or receiving a data units having a large payload. The methods may be achieved on a hardware device included on a board in a network testing system and/or with associated software.

Abstract: A novel method and system for testing network connections is provided. In an embodiment, the system includes a network, such as the Internet, which is connected to subscriber devices in a subscriber site via an service provider, a gateway in a telephone company central office, and a DSLAM in an open plant interface. The system also includes a test apparatus operable to inject itself in the connection between the subscriber devices and the Internet at the gateway. The test apparatus can mimic the service provider and, thereby connect directly with the device at the subscriber site and try to test network connections for issue between the service provider and the device. The test apparatus can also mimic the customer and, thereby connect directly with the device and the test network connections between the service provider and the device.

Abstract: Evaluation of label switched data units is disclosed. In a method, a data unit is received or obtained, and, when the data unit is a label switched data unit, a kind of an encapsulated data unit included in a message body of the data unit is determined by analyzing the message body. The method may be achieved as part of a network interface included on a board in a network testing unit and in a computing device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for testing a stateful network communications device. A plurality of stateful and simulated stateless connections are established with the device under test. Packets are sent to the device under test, and responses are received from the device enter test, over the stateless and stateful connections. Measurements are obtained for at least one of the stateless and stateful connections.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for virtual network addresses. A method comprises processing a request from a requestor to create a plurality of software network devices having a corresponding plurality of media access control (MAC) addresses. The MAC addresses may be allocated to a network interface circuit. The MAC addresses and the software network devices may be provided to the requestor. Incoming data units may be received from a network via a driver and a demultiplexor. Outgoing data units may be sent on to the network via a driver.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hot swap adapter having a circuit board, a power connector, a data connector and a circuit board connector. The circuit board may include one more logic devices. The power connector, the data connector and the circuit board connector may attach to the circuit board. The data connector may interface with a serial bus. The circuit board connector may interface with a parallel bus and a power rail. The logic device may provide a conversion from the serial bus to the parallel bus. The logic device may cause current to stop flowing from the power connector to the power rail in response to an over load condition.