Abstract: A test system and a related method, the system comprising a test processing agent and local test device(s). The test processing agent processes test measurements related to a network-under-test into test results. The test processing agent is decoupled from the network-under-test, e.g., by being reachable through a network communication link distinct from the network-under-test. The local test device comprises a firmware module and a network interface (NI) module. The firmware module depends on external instructions for initiating a test sequence on the network-under-test. The NI module comprises at least one physical port connectable to the network-under-test. The physical port is used for initiating the test sequence. The test processing agent receives the test measurements following the initiation of the test sequence by the local test device and allows access to the test results.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing network links bi-directionally and independently employ local test apparatus (1000) at one end of the link (1105, 1110, 1115) and remote test apparatus (1200) at the opposite end of the link. The local test apparatus transmits test traffic to the remote test apparatus which analyzes the test traffic to determine characteristics of the link in the local-to-remote direction. While the analysis is taking place, the remote test apparatus transmits interim test results to the local test apparatus, i.e., while the remote test apparatus is still running the test and without disrupting the test. Preferably, the remote test apparatus transmits test traffic to the local test apparatus which the latter analyzes to determine characteristics of the link in the remote-to-local direction. The local test apparatus may report the test results for both directions. The network may be a connected or connectionless network.

Abstract: A test system and a related method, the system comprising a test processing agent and local test device(s). The test processing agent processes test measurements related to a network-under-test into test results. The test processing agent is decoupled from the network-under-test, e.g., by being reachable through a network communication link distinct from the network-under-test. The local test device comprises a firmware module and a network interface (NI) module. The firmware module depends on external instructions for initiating a test sequence on the network-under-test. The NI module comprises at least one physical port connectable to the network-under-test. The physical port is used for initiating the test sequence. The test processing agent receives the test measurements following the initiation of the test sequence by the local test device and allows access to the test results.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing network links bi-directionally and independently employ local test apparatus (1000) at one end of the link (1105, 1110, 1115) and remote test apparatus (1200) at the opposite end of the link. The local test apparatus transmits test traffic to the remote test apparatus which analyzes the test traffic to determine characteristics of the link in the local-to-remote direction. While the analysis is taking place, the remote test apparatus transmits interim test results to the local test apparatus, i.e., while the remote test apparatus is still running the test and without disrupting the test. Preferably, the remote test apparatus transmits test traffic to the local test apparatus which the latter analyzes to determine characteristics of the link in the remote-to-local direction. The local test apparatus may report the test results for both directions. The network may be a connected or connectionless network.