Methods and apparatus for performing non-intrusive network layer performance measurement in communication networks

A tangible machine readable memory having machine readable instructions stored thereon which, when executed, cause a processor implementing a first intelligent network interface to perform operations comprising:

• processing a remote configuration message to obtain a destination address included in the remote configuration message, the destination address associated with a second intelligent network interface to which test messages for measuring network layer performance are to be sent, the remote configuration message being received in response to the processor initiating sending of multiple heartbeat signals after the intelligent network interface is communicatively coupled to a first access port of a first network node;
• sending, while a device communicatively coupled to a second access port of the first network node is able to exchange network traffic other than test traffic with a network through the second access port, a first test message to the destination address associated with the second intelligent network interface;
• and
• receiving a response to the first test message from the second intelligent network interface, the first test message originating in the first intelligent network interface and being routed, using network layer addressing, through the first network node and a second network node to which the second intelligent network interface is communicatively coupled.

An intelligent network interface apparatus to measure network layer performance between network nodes of a network, the apparatus comprising:

• a processor to execute the instructions to perform operations comprising:
• initiating sending of multiple heartbeat signals in response to the apparatus being communicatively coupled to an access port of a network node that is to provide access to the network;
• and
• processing a remote configuration command to obtain a network layer destination address included in the remote configuration command, the network layer address associated with a destination intelligent network interface to which test messages for measuring network layer performance are to be send the remote configuration command being received in response to the sending of the multiple heartbeat signals;
• and
• generating a test message to send to the destination intelligent network interface, the test message processor to use the network layer destination address associated with the destination intelligent network interface to send the test message to the destination intelligent network interface.