System and method for network error rate testing

A bit error rate tester suitable for use in connection with a high speed network, the bit error rate tester comprising:

• a plurality of components configured for operation in connection with at least the 10 Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and SONET protocols, the plurality of components including:
• a first bit sequence generator;
• a second bit sequence generator, comprising:
• a control logic module configured to communicate with the first bit sequence generator;
• and
• first, and second memories configured and arranged for communication with the control logic module;
• a transmit port configured and arranged for communication with the first and second bit sequence generators;
• a receive port configured and arranged for communication with the network;
• a bit synchronizer configured and arranged for communication with the receive port;
• a comparator configured and arranged for communication with the second bit sequence generator;
• and
• a system bus that interconnects at least two of the plurality of components.

A method for bit error rate testing in a high speed network that includes at least one protocol-specific device which may be a retiming device or non-retiming device, the method comprising:

• generating a bit sequence;
• transmitting the bit sequence onto the network, the bit sequence being transmitted at a rate of 10 Gigabits per second or higher;
• receiving the bit sequence from the network;
• synchronizing, if necessary, the received bit sequence;
• regenerating the transmitted bit sequence;
• comparing the received bit sequence with the regenerated bit sequence;
• identifying errors, if any, within the received bit sequence based upon the comparison of the received bit sequence with the regenerated bit sequence;
• and
• calculating a bit error rate based upon the identified errors.

A method for bit error rate testing in a high speed network that includes at least one protocol-specific device which may be a retiming device or non-retiming device, the method comprising:

• generating a bit sequence, wherein at least a portion of the generated bit sequence is user-defined;
• transmitting the bit sequence onto the network;
• receiving the bit sequence from the network;
• synchronizing, if necessary, the received bit sequence;
• regenerating the transmitted bit sequence;
• comparing the received bit sequence with the regenerated bit sequence;
• identifying errors, if any, within the received bit sequence based upon the comparison of the received bit sequence with the regenerated bit sequence;
• and
• calculating a bit error rate based upon the identified errors.