Method and system for testing a layer-2 tunnel in a data communication network

A network device for use in a data communication network comprising:

• the network device, in response to receipt of a test invocation from a network manager, establishes a Layer-2 tunnel, and if said Layer-2 tunnel is established said network device brings down said Layer-2 tunnel and indicates a result of the test as successful.

A network device for use in a data communication network comprising:

• the network device, in response to receipt of a test invocation from a network manager, tests a Layer-2 tunnel in the communication network by testing a propagation time of the Layer-2 tunnel, and reports a result of said test to the network manager.

A network device for use in a data communication network comprising:

• the network device, in response to receipt of a test invocation from a network manager, tests a Layer-2 tunnel by creating a table entry specifying an endpoint of said Layer-2 tunnel, and reports a result of said test to the network manager.

A network device for use in a data communication network comprising:

• means, in response to receipt of a test invocation from a network manager, for establishing a Layer-2 tunnel, and if said Layer-2 tunnel is established;
• means for said network device bringing down said Layer-2 tunnel and indicating a result of the test as successful.

A network device for use in a data communication network comprising:

• means, in response to receipt of a test invocation from a network manager, for testing a Layer-2 tunnel in the communication network by testing a propagation time of the Layer-2 tunnel;
• and,
• means for reporting a result of said test to the network manager.

A network device for use in a data communication network comprising:

• means, in response to receipt of a test invocation from a network manager, testing a Layer-2 tunnel by creating a table entry specifying an endpoint of said Layer-2 tunnel;
• and,
• means for reporting a result of said test to the network manager.