Node apparatus and method for performing a loopback-test on a communication path in a network

A node apparatus, comprising:

• a path setting part operable to set a communication path from an ingress node to an egress node on the basis of a specified path setting protocol;
• a test signal processing part operable to receive a test signal and processing the received test signal, the test signal including one of a loopback-test signal and a loopback-test response signal, the loopback-test signal being a test signal for performing a loopback-test on a node positioned along the communication path, the loopback-test response signal being a test signal for conveying a result of the loopback-test performed on the node, wherein
• the test signal processing part transfers the received test signal to an adjacent node positioned along the communication path when the received test signal is not destined for the node apparatus, and
• transmits the loopback-test response signal to the ingress node that has transmitted the loopback-test signal, in response to the received loopback-test signal, when the received loopback-test signal is destined for the node apparatus.

A method for performing a loopback-test on a communication path in a network, comprising:

• setting a communication path from an ingress node to an egress node on the basis of a specified path setting protocol;
• transmitting a loopback-test signal to the egress node through the communication path so as to perform a loopback-test on the egress node;
• receiving a loopback-test response signal returned from the egress node on which the loopback-test has been performed;
• and
• determining whether or not the loopback-test on the egress node has ended normally by analyzing the received loopback-test response signal.