US 12,335,130 B2
Network path testing via independent test traffic
Martin Vickers, Bristol (GB); Bjorn Dag Johnsen, Oslo (NO); Brian Edward Manula, Bekkestua (NO); and Daniel John Pelham Wilkinson, Bristol (GB)
Assigned to GRAPHCORE LIMITED, Bristol (GB)
Filed by Graphcore Limited, Bristol (GB)
Filed on Aug. 31, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/823,578.
Claims priority of application No. 2112901 (GB), filed on Sep. 10, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0080535 A1, Mar. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. H04L 43/50 (2022.01)
CPC H04L 43/50 (2013.01) [H04L 2212/00 (2013.01)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A network interface device for interfacing one or more data processing components with a network, the network interface device comprising:
a transmit buffer configured to store a test data frame for dispatch over the network for testing the network;
a send count register configured to store a send count value representing a number of times the test data frame is to be dispatched from the transmit buffer over the network; and
processing circuitry configured to:
cause the test data frame to be dispatched over the network the number of times specified in the send count register;
perform network protocol processing to produce further traffic for dispatch over the network; and
prior to completing the sending of the test data frame the number of times specified in the send count register, cause the further traffic to be dispatched over the network,
wherein the causing the test data frame to be dispatched comprises causing a first instance of the test data frame to be dispatched while the network protocol processing is being performed.