Scalable extensible network test architecture

A network test architecture comprising:

• at least one module for performing a plurality of functions, the module having a unique identifier;
• an additional module for performing an additional function, the additional module having an additional unique identifier;
• a control bus connected among the modules;
• a data bus connected among the modules;
• a power bus connected among the modules;
• a controller for controlling operation, data transmission, or powering of the modules through the control bus, the data bus, or the power bus using the unique identifier and the additional unique identifier upon simultaneous connection of the control bus, the data bus, or the power bus to the additional module;
• and
• the controller directly addressing a particular module by means of its unique identifier to instruct that module to power off to save power, and to instruct it to power on when desired, to enable power consumption to be selectively controlled.