Systems and Methods of Test Packet Handling

A first unit comprising:

• a register;
• a processor;
• and
• a computer readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by the processor:
• designate a test packet with type information, the type information indicating whether the test packet is handled by the first unit, a second unit, or either unit;
• and
• set one or more bits in the register to select whether the first unit will handle all of the test packets with type information designating either unit;
• wherein the first unit is communicatively coupled to the second unit.

A system, comprising:

• a first unit comprising:
• a first networking module comprising one or more ports configured to receive data from and transmit data to a client and a network;
• a first traffic manager module configured to route data among components within the system;
• a first test packet handler configured to generate test packets and further configured to receive a first test packet and pass along the first test packet a first time it is received and terminally receive the first test packet after it is received a second time;
• a second unit comprising:
• a second networking module comprising one or more ports configured to receive data from and transmit data to a client and a network;
• a second traffic manager module configured to route data among components within the system;
• a second test packet handler configured to generate test packets and further configured to receive a second test packet and pass along the second test packet a first time it is received and terminally receive the second test packet after it is received a second time;
• a backplane connecting the first unit and the second unit such that the first test packet is sent along the backplane to the second unit and such that the second test packet is sent along the backplane to the first unit;
• a register containing bits, the bits configured to select one or more units to handle all test packets with type information indicating the test packets are not required to be handled by the first or the second unit;
• wherein, the register is configured to change the selection of handling the test packets by changing the bits.