Network processor online logic test

A method of testing a multi-core network processor comprising:

• placing the multi-core network processor in an online environment;
• detecting, by a scheduler, that a core of the multi-core network processor on a same chip as the scheduler is idle;
• and
• performing a structural test instead of a thread-based functional test on the core when the core is idle to obtain better defect coverage and test efficiency,
• wherein the core being tested is isolated from other cores during testing so that outputs from the core being tested will not adversely affect a functional status of the other cores,
• wherein the multi-core network processor has multithreading capabilities, and
• wherein performing the structural test on the core comprises using an automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) technique.

A network processor comprising:

• a computer readable instructions module configured to store test instructions;
• and
• a processing core with multithreading capabilities and configured to operate in an online environment and to execute the test instructions to test the processing core using a structural test comprising a Logic Built-In Self-Test (BIST) to obtain better defect coverage and test efficiency relative to a thread-based functional test when a scheduler on a same chip as the processing core determines that the processing core is idle,
• wherein at least one of the computer readable instructions module and the processing core is implemented in hardware,
• wherein the core being tested is isolated from other cores during testing so that outputs from the core being tested will not adversely affect a functional status of the other cores, and
• wherein the core being tested is designated testing by allocating or migrating a thread in the core to the other cores.

An apparatus comprising:

• a computer executable instructions module configured to store test instructions;
• and
• a multi-core network processor with multithreading capabilities and configured to:
• load the test instructions to the multi-core network processor;
• operate the multi-core network processor in an online environment;
• execute the test instructions to perform a structural test comprising a Logic Built-In Self-Test (LBIST) to obtain better defect coverage and test efficiency relative to a thread-based functional test on a core of the multi-core network processor based at least in part on a determination by a scheduler on a same chip as the core that the core is idle;
• and
• reset the core to the online environment after the structural test has been completed,
• wherein at least one of the computer executable instructions module and the multi-core network processor is implemented in hardware,
• wherein the core being tested is isolated from other cores during testing so that outputs from the core being tested will not adversely affect a functional status of the other cores, and
• wherein performing the structural test on the core comprises using an automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) technique.