Patents by Inventor Christian Paul Sommers

Christian Paul Sommers has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240129220
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for testing a system under test (SUT). An example system includes a fabric emulation device configured for emulating a data center switching fabric using emulated switch queues and for emulating one or more congestion control mechanisms for network traffic on the data center switching fabric from the SUT. The system includes a test execution manager configured for: executing a test case causing the fabric emulation device to invoke at least a first congestion control mechanism; logging one or more metrics characterizing the first congestion control mechanism in response to invoking the first congestion control mechanism, wherein logging the one or more metrics comprises logging at least one performance metric from at least one emulated switch queue of the fabric emulation device; and outputting a test report based on logging the one or more metrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Razvan Ionut Stan, Christian Paul Sommers, Lyle Eugene Thompson, Russil Wvong
  • Publication number: 20240095156
    Abstract: One example method occurs at an impairment configuration manager of a network test system implemented using at least one processor, the method comprising: receiving impairment definition information for defining one or more impairments associated with a test session involving a test infrastructure connecting at least one test application and a system under test (SUT), wherein the impairment definition information includes information for indicating attributes of the one or more impairments using a common data model or data format; generating, using the impairment definition information, at least one set of instructions for configuring at least one impairment element to implement the one or more impairments during the test session; and providing the at least one set of instructions to the at least one impairment element or another entity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Keysight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Paul Sommers
  • Publication number: 20240069099
    Abstract: One example method occurs at a testbed transpiler of a network test system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventor: Christian Paul Sommers
  • Publication number: 20240073131
    Abstract: One example method occurs in a test environment comprising network emulation platforms (NEPs), wherein the NEPs implement an emulated switching fabric comprising emulated switches, wherein the NEPs are connected via at least one physical cable. The method includes determining, using a network test system controller, at least one routing path group for communications between the emulated switches, wherein each of the at least one routing path group includes or uses virtual links utilizing one or more lanes of the at least one physical cable; configuring, using the network test system controller, physical ports of the NEPs to assign traffic during a test session to one of the virtual links based on a routing path group identifier associated with the traffic; and initiating, using the network test system controller, the test session involving the test environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Razvan Ionut Stan, Thomas Ameling, Lyle Eugene Thompson, Diana Galan, Russil Wvong, Christian Paul Sommers
  • Patent number: 11916774
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for testing a network system under test (SUT). An example system includes physical application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) switching resources and a switching environment emulator configured for emulating, using the physical ASIC switching resources, data center switching fabric comprising a plurality of data center fabric switching elements. The system includes a first control plane daemon implemented on at least one processor; the first control plane daemon is configured for processing control plane messages for a first data center fabric switching element. The system includes a first port for communicating at least a first control plane message for processing by the first control plane daemon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Christian Paul Sommers, Razvan Ionut Stan
  • Patent number: 11853254
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for exposing data processing unit (DPU) traffic in a smartswitch are disclosed. One example method occurs at a smartswitch controller implemented using at least one processor, the method comprising: receiving connection information for communicating with an in-line traffic processing agent; generating, using the connection information, one or more switching rules for causing traffic associated with a target DPU of a smartswitch to be directed to the in-line traffic processing agent; and providing the one or more switching rules to the smartswitch or another entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Christian Paul Sommers, Peter J. Marsico
  • Publication number: 20230412485
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for testing a network system under test (SUT). An example system includes physical application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) switching resources and a switching environment emulator configured for emulating, using the physical ASIC switching resources, data center switching fabric comprising a plurality of data center fabric switching elements. The system includes a first control plane daemon implemented on at least one processor; the first control plane daemon is configured for processing control plane messages for a first data center fabric switching element. The system includes a first port for communicating at least a first control plane message for processing by the first control plane daemon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Christian Paul Sommers, Razvan Ionut Stan
  • Patent number: 11765068
    Abstract: According to one method, the method occurs at a first impairment device comprising at least one programmable data plane processor. The method includes receiving, via an application programming interface (API) and from a test controller, command and control instructions for configuring a packet processing pipeline for facilitating traffic impairments; configuring, using the command and control instructions, the packet processing pipeline implemented using the at least one programmable data plane processor; and applying, via the packet processing pipeline, at least one impairment to one or more test packets for testing a system under test (SUT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Christian Paul Sommers
  • Publication number: 20230244582
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for smart network interface card testing are disclosed. One example method occurs at a network interface card (NIC) comprising a network processing unit executing a monitoring agent for monitoring data traversing the NIC. The method includes obtaining, from a test system or a test traffic generator, at least one test packet; generating, using the monitoring agent, NIC processing information associated with processing the at least one test packet, wherein generating the NIC processing information includes monitoring application layer events, presentation layer events, session layer events, transport layer events, network layer events, driver layer events, kernel layer events, or other events involving the NIC and generating the NIC processing information using the monitored events; and storing or providing the NIC processing information for data analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Christian Paul Sommers, Jonathan Glenn Stroud, Matthew R. Bergeron
  • Patent number: 11709746
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for smart network interface card testing are disclosed. One example method occurs at a network interface card (NIC) comprising a network processing unit executing a monitoring agent for monitoring data traversing the NIC. The method includes obtaining, from a test system or a test traffic generator, at least one test packet; generating, using the monitoring agent, NIC processing information associated with processing the at least one test packet, wherein generating the NIC processing information includes monitoring application layer events, presentation layer events, session layer events, transport layer events, network layer events, driver layer events, kernel layer events, or other events involving the NIC and generating the NIC processing information using the monitored events; and storing or providing the NIC processing information for data analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Christian Paul Sommers, Jonathan Glenn Stroud, Matthew R. Bergeron
  • Publication number: 20230221975
    Abstract: A method for customizing data plane pipeline processing to generate test packets using Berkeley packet filter (BPF) hook entry points is disclosed. The method includes receiving a program code script for customizing a performance of one or more stages of a multistage processing pipeline platform configured for conducting a network operation process, wherein the multistage processing pipeline platform includes one or more predefined hook entry points and compiling the program code script to generate a customized plug-in component that is deployed in at least one of the one or more predefined hook entry points of the multistage processing pipeline platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Christian Paul Sommers, Matthew R. Bergeron
  • Publication number: 20230198883
    Abstract: According to one method, the method occurs at a first impairment device comprising at least one programmable data plane processor. The method includes receiving, via an application programming interface (API) and from a test controller, command and control instructions for configuring a packet processing pipeline for facilitating traffic impairments; configuring, using the command and control instructions, the packet processing pipeline implemented using the at least one programmable data plane processor; and applying, via the packet processing pipeline, at least one impairment to one or more test packets for testing a system under test (SUT).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventor: Christian Paul Sommers
  • Patent number: 11483227
    Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for active queue management. A method for active queue management occurs at a network test system (NTS). The method includes transmitting, by a test packet generator and during a test session, a test packet to a system under test (SUT); receiving queue performance information associated with a SUT queue related to the test packet; generating, utilizing the queue performance information, control signaling information usable for controlling the test packet generator; and controlling the test packet generator using the control signaling information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Christian Paul Sommers
  • Patent number: 11474823
    Abstract: A method for on-demand, on-device compiling and use of programmable pipeline device profiles includes storing, on a network test or visibility device, programmable pipeline device source code and a plurality of different programmable pipeline device profile definitions containing parameters for implementing different programmable pipeline device profile variations. The method further include implementing, on the network test or visibility device, a compiler that receives the programmable pipeline device source code and one of the profile definitions as input and that produces as output a programmable pipeline device profile including compiled object code for configuring a programmable pipeline device to implement a network test or network visibility function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Christian Paul Sommers
  • Patent number: 11425020
    Abstract: A method for storage, retrieval, and use of programmable pipeline device profiles includes creating a plurality of different programmable pipeline device profiles and a catalog for locating and retrieving the profiles, each programmable pipeline device profile including compiled object code for configuring a programmable pipeline device to implement a network test or network visibility function and metadata describing the programmable pipeline device profile. The method further includes storing the catalog and at least a portion of the profiles in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The method further includes selecting, using the catalog, one of the profiles stored in the non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The method further includes using the profile to configure the programmable pipeline device for implementing the network test or visibility function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Christian Paul Sommers
  • Patent number: 11388081
    Abstract: According to one method, the method occurs during a test session for testing a system under test (SUT) and at a network test system comprising physical application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) switching resources, wherein the network test system emulates a data center switching fabric comprising virtualized data center switching fabric elements: transmitting, to an inline impairment device, a test packet via an egress portion of an external physical port interface associated with the network test system, wherein the inline impairment device is connected via the external physical port interface associated with the network test system; receiving, from the inline impairment device, an impaired packet via an ingress portion of the external physical port interface associated with the network test system, wherein the impaired packet is generated when the impairment device applies at least one impairment to the test packet; and transmitting, using one or more of the virtualized data center switching fabric ele
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Christian Paul Sommers, Matthew R. Bergeron
  • Patent number: 11388078
    Abstract: A method for generating and using a statistical mix of network traffic to test a network device is provided. The method includes steps performed in a network equipment test device. The steps include generating test packets to be transmitted to a device under test. The steps further include using a random number generator to generate first values that statistically vary according to a first probability density function (PDF). The steps further include precalculating and storing in memory, a plurality of second values that statistically vary according to a second probability density function different from the first probability density function. The method further includes using the first values to access the memory and select from the second values. The steps further include using the selected second values to statistically vary an aspect of the test packets. The steps further include transmitting the test packets to the device under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Christian Paul Sommers
  • Patent number: 11323354
    Abstract: One method occurs at a network test system implemented using at least one processor. The method includes receiving configuration information for configuring a network testing scenario comprising an emulated switching environment, wherein the configuration information includes topology information defining the emulated switching environment; configuring, using the configuration information, the emulated switching environment including allocating, using a switch application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) resource allocator, resources of at least one physical ASIC switch to multiple emulated switches; and configuring, using the configuration information, a test session for testing a system under test (SUT) using the emulated switching environment and a network visibility infrastructure for obtaining performance information associated with the test session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Christian Paul Sommers
  • Publication number: 20220116303
    Abstract: One method occurs at a network test system implemented using at least one processor. The method includes receiving configuration information for configuring a network testing scenario comprising an emulated switching environment, wherein the configuration information includes topology information defining the emulated switching environment; configuring, using the configuration information, the emulated switching environment including allocating, using a switch application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) resource allocator, resources of at least one physical ASIC switch to multiple emulated switches; and configuring, using the configuration information, a test session for testing a system under test (SUT) using the emulated switching environment and a network visibility infrastructure for obtaining performance information associated with the test session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventor: Christian Paul Sommers
  • Publication number: 20220116304
    Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for active queue management. A method for active queue management occurs at a network test system (NTS). The method includes transmitting, by a test packet generator and during a test session, a test packet to a system under test (SUT); receiving queue performance information associated with a SUT queue related to the test packet; generating, utilizing the queue performance information, control signaling information usable for controlling the test packet generator; and controlling the test packet generator using the control signaling information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventor: Christian Paul Sommers