Packet processor verification methods and systems

A method for testing a packet-processor that includes a plurality of ports having a receive media access controller (RX MAC) and a transmit media access controller (TX MAC), the method comprising:

• sending a test packet to the TX MAC of a first port;
• looping-back the test packet from the TX MAC of the first port to an RX MAC of the first port;
• receiving the looped-back test packet from the RX MAC of the first port;
• and
• routing the received looped-back test packet to a TX MAC of one or more other ports of the packet-processor.

A chipset for implementing a packet-processing apparatus configured to perform self-testing, comprising:

• one or more integrated circuits that include:
• a plurality of ports having a receive media access controller (RX MAC) and a transmit media access controller (TX MAC), wherein the TX MAC of a first port is selectably configurable to loop back packets to a RX MAC of the first port during a self-testing operation of the packet processor;
• and
• a switching engine coupled to the plurality of ports, the switching engine being configured to:
• provide a test packet received from a packet generator to the TX MAC of the first port, and
• forward to the TX MAC of one or more second ports at least the test packet received from the RX MAC of the first port, or a copy of the received test packet, after the received test packet or its copy has been looped-back one or more times between the TX MAC of the first port and the RX MAC of the first port.

A method for testing a packet-processor that includes a plurality of ports having a receive media access controller (RX MAC) and a transmit media access controller (TX MAC), the method comprising:

• sending a test packet to the TX MAC of a first port;
• looping-back the test packet from the TX MAC of the first port to an RX MAC;
• receiving the looped-back test packet from the RX MAC;
• and
• replicating the received looped-back test packet received from the RX MAC, then routing at least one of the received looped-back test packet and the replicated test packet to the TX MAC of the first port to increase a volume of packets and to route a plurality of like test packets to the TX MAC of one or more other ports of the packet-processor.