Link Aggregation Group Testing with Stream Identifier Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional field test equipment cannot support testing of multiple physical interfaces combined in a link aggregation group (LAG), such as N×10GE, due to the aggregation of test streams across different ports, leading to incorrect frame loss and bandwidth measurements.

Innovation Solution

A test device that aggregates test streams across multiple physical interfaces, using unique stream identifiers to determine key performance indicators (KPIs) for LAGs, including frame loss, throughput, and latency, by decoding embedded identifiers in received frames to accurately measure LAG performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional field test equipment tests multiple physical interfaces in a LAG, then testing coverage is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to aggregation of test streams across different ports

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting coverageVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the aggregated test streams by extracting and matching unique stream identifiers from transmitted and received frames. This allows the system to separately track and measure performance metrics for each individual stream even when they are aggregated across multiple physical interfaces, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while enabling comprehensive LAG testing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If test streams are aggregated across multiple ports in a LAG, then testing efficiency is improved, but frame loss measurement accuracy deteriorates due to out-of-sequence errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidframe loss measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where stream identifiers are embedded in transmitted frames and then extracted from received frames. By comparing the transmitted and received stream identifiers, the system can accurately determine frame loss for each individual stream despite aggregation, eliminating out-of-sequence errors while maintaining testing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Speed

If multiple physical interfaces are tested simultaneously in a LAG, then testing speed is improved, but bandwidth measurement accuracy deteriorates due to stream aggregation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting speedVSAvoidbandwidth measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the aggregated bandwidth measurement by tracking individual stream identifiers through the LAG. This allows the system to measure the bandwidth contribution of each physical interface separately while maintaining the speed benefits of simultaneous multi-interface testing, thereby preserving measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250300923A1Systems and methods for link aggregation group testing

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC(US)

AI summary

A network test device tests key performance indicators for a link aggregation group (LAG). Ports for the LAG are determined. Test streams including test frames are generated and transmitted from the ports to test the LAG. The test frames include a unique stream identifier for a corresponding test stream. The test frames may be looped back. Key performance indicators for the LAG are determined based on the received test frames and the unique stream identifier in each test frame.