Switching Hub Port Mirroring for Low-Cost Stream Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of communication products leads to higher failure rates and increased testing costs due to the need for expensive dedicated testing instruments for data communication devices, necessitating a cost-effective method for stream testing.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using a switching hub to generate and transmit a test data stream through port mirroring and VLAN configurations, allowing for low-cost throughput testing of multiple DUTs by simulating a tester line card and generating test data packets at line speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expensive dedicated communication testing instruments are used to test data communication products, then testing accuracy and reliability are improved, but production cost is greatly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a switching hub to generate test data streams by copying and forwarding data packets through port mirroring technology. Instead of using expensive dedicated testing instruments, the system creates a virtual testing environment by copying traffic from one port to another, enabling cost-effective testing while maintaining reliability through accurate packet replication and forwarding simulation
Solution Approach 2:
The switching hub is configured to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a network switch for normal traffic and a test data stream generator for quality testing. By using VLAN configuration and port mirroring, the same hardware infrastructure serves dual purposes - production networking and quality assurance testing - thereby eliminating the need for separate expensive testing equipment
2Productivity
If a large number of Ethernet switching hubs and routers are manufactured, then market supply is improved, but production cost is greatly increased due to requirement of large number of testing instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The switching hub performs self-testing by generating its own test data streams using internal port mirroring capabilities. The device tests itself and other devices in the network without requiring external dedicated testing instruments, enabling high-volume manufacturing with reduced per-unit testing costs and improved manufacturing throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The testing function is merged with the normal switching operation. The same switching hub that handles production traffic also generates and processes test data streams through configured port mirroring and VLANs, combining manufacturing and quality assurance functions into a single integrated system
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for stream testing by a switching hub including the steps of generation a test data stream by the switching hub and testing a plurality of DUTs by using the test data stream. A first port of the switching hub transmits port mirroring to a second port of the switching hub. A packet is transmitted through a physical cable from the first port. The first port and the second port are added to a first virtual local area (VLAN) in a native manner. The second port receives a test packet in a self-loop mode. The test data stream is created by repeatedly transmitting the test packet from the second port. In addition, the present invention further provides a system for stream testing by a switching hub.