Switch fabric testing

Details Switch fabric testing Switch fabric testing

1999-12-13

2003-12-23

Nguyen, Chau (Department: 2663)

Multiplex communications

Diagnostic testing

C370S250000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06667959

ABSTRACT:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
N/A
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In order to provide a high level of availability, packet and cell switches often employ redundant switch fabrics to increase their availability. The redundant or off-line switch fabric is not used until it is needed, and thus if the off-line switch fabric is not functional, the unavailability of the off-line switch fabric is not determined until the need for the off-line switch fabric to be utilized. It would be desirable to provide a method for determining that the off-line switch fabric is functional before the need arises for the off-line switch fabric has been established. It would also be desirable to test the functionality of the off-line switch fabric without special test reconfiguration.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method is presented which allows for the testing and verification of an off-line switch fabric used in a network switch having redundant switch fabrics. A special test cell is directed to the off-line switch fabric, loops through a portion of the switching core of the off-line switch fabric, and is returned from the off-line switch fabric. A plurality of test cells can be used to provide full mesh connectivity checking of the off-line switch fabric. Testing is accomplished without need for reconfiguration of the off-line switch fabric, and the off-line switch fabric is available for use immediately upon determination of the need therefor.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5500851 (1996-03-01), Kozaki et al.
patent: 5875177 (1999-02-01), Uriu et al.
patent: 5974045 (1999-10-01), Ohkura et al.
patent: 6067286 (2000-05-01), Jones et al.
patent: 6147972 (2000-11-01), Onishi et al.
patent: 6310875 (2001-10-01), Nichols et al.
patent: 6396811 (2002-05-01), Petersen

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