Functional validation of a packet management unit

• US 7,644,307 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2006
• Issued: 01/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ARM Finance Overseas Limited (SoftBank Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: MIPS Technologies Incorporated (Wave Computing, Inc.)
• Inventors: Musoll, Enrique
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, DIEU MINH T
• Application Number:
  US11/380,924
• Publication Number:
  US 20070168748A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,347 Days
• Field of Search: 714/18, 714/4, 714/25, 714/37, 714/39, 370/218, 370/235, 370/473
• US Class Current: 714/18
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/546 Message passing systems or structures, e.g. queues
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/12 Network monitoring probes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2441 relying on flow classification, e.g. using integrated services [IntServ]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/32 by discarding or delaying data units, e.g. packets or frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/50 Queue scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/621 Individual queue per connection or flow, e.g. per VC
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/6215 Individual queue per QOS, rate or priority
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/624 Altering the ordering of packets in an individual queue
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/201 Multicast operation; Broadcast operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/205 Quality of Service based
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/90 Buffering arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/901 using storage descriptor, e.g. read or write pointers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/9073 Early interruption upon arrival of a fraction of a packet

Abstract

A validation system is disclosed for validating function of a packet-management unit operationally coupled through a system interface to a processing unit of a processor system. The validation system comprises a user interface for creating an inputting test parameters and test code into the system, a test generator coupled to the user interface, the test generator for generating input packet activity in the form of a packet stream, a model coupled to the test generator for emulating separate and integrated function of the packet management unit, the system interface, and a stream-processing unit and an evaluation software for checking and validating or not validating results. The system validation function relies, in a preferred embodiment, on comparing output results with criteria of the selected test code resulting in an indication of pass or failure of the test. In a preferred embodiment, the system also notifies to cause of failure.

Claims

1. A computer-based validation system for validating functions of a packet management unit (PMU) operationally coupled through a system interface to a stream processing unit of a packet processor, the validation system comprising:

a processor; and

an instruction memory in communication with the processor for storing a plurality of processing instructions for directing the processor to;

create a model configured to emulate functions of the PMU, the system interface, and the stream processing unit; and

wherein the model is further configured to;

receive an input packet stream;

process the input packet stream; and

generate output activity; and

compare the output activity to criteria of a test code resulting in an indication of pass or failure.

2. The validation system of claim 1, further comprising a test generator coupled to the model, wherein the test generator is configured to:

receive the test code; and

convey input packet activity to the model in the form of a packet stream corresponding to the test code.

3. The validation system of claim 1, wherein the system interface and the stream processing unit of the model are simulated in software running on a processor-based machine.

4. The validation system of claim 3, wherein the PMU is simulated in software running on a processor-based machine.

5. The validation system of claim 1, wherein the model emulates integrated functions of a data packet router.

6. The validation system of claim 1, wherein the input packet stream includes at least one associated workload, the workload specifying one or more parameters of a group of parameters comprising:

packet input parameters;

memory request parameters;

PMU configuration parameters; and

packet instructions.

7. The validation system of claim 1, wherein each packet of the input packet stream includes an associated workload, the workload specifying one or more parameters of a group of parameters comprising:

packet input parameters;

memory request parameters;

PMU configuration parameters; and

packet instructions.

8. The validation system of claim 1,

wherein the test code comprises a plurality of values representing different combinations of possible test variables associated with treating data packets in process;

and

wherein the test variables include the possibility of packet modification by software, packet insertion by software, packet dropping by hardware or software, and packet reordering by software.

9. The validation system of claim 1, wherein each packet of the input packet stream includes a test code.

10. The validation system of claim 1,

wherein the input packet stream includes a plurality of packet flows, each packet flow comprising a plurality of packets;

and

wherein the model is configured to output packets of a given flow in an order that matches an order in which packets of the given flow were received.

11. A validation system comprising:

a model configured to;

emulate a packet processor including a packet management unit (PMU) coupled through a system interface to an electronic stream processing unit; and

generate an output packet stream in response to receiving an input packet stream; and

a checker coupled to the model, wherein said checker is configured to;

receive a test code including criteria for evaluating an output packet stream;

receive a test output packet stream generated by the model; and

compare the test output packet stream to the criteria to determine success or failure of a test of the model.

12. The validation system of claim 11,

wherein the test code comprises a plurality of values representing different combinations of possible test variables associated with processing packets;

and

wherein processing steps enabled or disabled by the test variables include packet modification by software, packet insertion by software, packet dropping by hardware or software, and packet reordering by software.

13. The validation system of claim 11, wherein the input packet stream includes at least one associated workload, the workload specifying one or more parameters of a group of parameters used by the model comprising:

packet input parameters;

memory request parameters;

PMU configuration parameters; and

packet instructions.

14. A method for validating functions of a packet-management unit (PMU) operationally coupled through a system interface to a stream processing unit of a packet processor, the method comprising:

emulating functions of the PMU, the system interface, and the stream processing unit in a model;

inputting a packet stream into the model;

outputting from the model an output activity representing the packet stream after processing; and

examining the output activity according to input parameters and criteria of a test code to determine if a concluded test has passed or failed.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising a test generator:

receiving the test code; and

conveying input packet activity to the model in the form of a packet stream corresponding to the test code.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said emulating further comprises simulating the system interface and the stream processing unit in software running on a processor-based machine.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said emulating further comprises simulating the PMU in software running on a processor-based machine.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein said emulating further comprises emulating integrated functions of a data packet router.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the packet stream includes at least one associated workload, the workload specifying one or more parameters of a group of parameters comprising:

packet input parameters;

memory request parameters;

PMU configuration parameters; and

packet instructions.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein each packet of the packet stream includes an associated workload, the workload specifying one or more parameters of a group of parameters comprising:

packet input parameters;

memory request parameters;

PMU configuration parameters; and

packet instructions.

21. The method of claim 14,

wherein the test code comprises a plurality of values representing different combinations of possible test variables associated with treating data packets in process;

and

wherein the test variables include the possibility of packet modification by software, packet insertion by software, packet dropping by hardware or software, and packet reordering by software.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein the packet stream includes a plurality of packet flows, each packet flow comprising a plurality of packets, the method further comprising outputting from the model packets of a given flow in an order that matches an order in which packets of the given flow were received.

23. A method of validating functions of a packet-management unit (PMU), the method comprising:

emulating in a model, a packet processor including a packet management unit (PMU) coupled through a system interface to a stream processing unit;

the model generating an output packet stream in response to receiving an input packet stream;

receiving a test code including criteria for evaluating an output packet stream;

receiving a test output packet stream generated by the model; and

comparing the test output packet stream to the criteria to determine success or failure of a test of the model.

24. The method of claim 23,

wherein the test code comprises a plurality of values representing different combinations of possible test variables associated with processing packets;

and

wherein processing steps enabled or disabled by the test variables include packet modification by software, packet insertion by software, packet dropping by hardware or software, and packet reordering by software.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the input packet stream includes at least one associated workload, the workload specifying one or more parameters of a group of parameters used by the model comprising:

packet input parameters;

memory request parameters;

PMU configuration parameters; and

packet instructions.

26. A computer readable medium containing instructions that, when executed, enable a processor to validate functions of a packet-management unit (PMU) operationally coupled through a system interface to a stream processing unit of a packet processor by:

emulating functions of the PMU, the system interface, and the stream processing unit in a model;

inputting a packet stream into the model;

outputting from the model an output activity representing the packet stream after processing; and

examining the output activity according to input parameters and criteria of a test code to determine if a concluded test has passed or failed.

27. The computer readable medium of claim 26, containing further instructions that, when executed, enable a processor to implement a test generator configured to:

receive the test code; and

convey input packet activity to the model in the form of a packet stream corresponding to the test code.

28. The computer readable medium of claim 26, wherein said emulating further comprises simulating the system interface and the stream processing unit in software running on a processor-based machine.

29. The computer readable medium of claim 26, wherein said emulating further comprises simulating the PMU in software running on a processor-based machine.

30. The computer readable medium of claim 26, wherein said emulating further comprises emulating integrated functions of a data packet router.

31. The computer readable medium of claim 26, wherein the packet stream includes at least one associated workload, the workload specifying one or more parameters of a group of parameters comprising:

packet input parameters;

memory request parameters;

PMU configuration parameters; and

packet instructions.

32. The computer readable medium of claim 26, wherein each packet of the packet stream includes an associated workload, the workload specifying one or more parameters of a group of parameters comprising:

packet input parameters;

memory request parameters;

PMU configuration parameters; and

packet instructions.

33. The computer readable medium of claim 26,

wherein the test code comprises a plurality of values representing different combinations of possible test variables associated with treating data packets in process;

and

wherein the test variables include the possibility of packet modification by software, packet insertion by software, packet dropping by hardware or software, and packet reordering by software.

34. The computer readable medium of claim 26,

wherein the packet stream includes a plurality of packet flows, each packet flow comprising a plurality of packets;

and

wherein the computer readable medium contains further instructions that, when executed, enable the processor to output from the model packets of a given flow in an order that matches an order in which packets of the given flow were received.

35. A computer readable medium containing instructions that, when executed, enable a processor to validate functions of a packet-management unit (PMU) by:

emulating in a model, a packet processor including a packet management unit (PMU) coupled through a system interface to a stream processing unit;

the model generating an output packet stream in response to receiving an input packet stream;

receiving a test code including criteria for evaluating an output packet stream;

receiving a test output packet stream generated by the model; and

comparing the test output packet stream to the criteria to determine success or failure of a test of the model.

36. The computer readable medium of claim 35,

wherein the test code comprises a plurality of values representing different combinations of possible test variables associated with processing packets;

and

wherein processing steps enabled or disabled by the test variables include packet modification by software, packet insertion by software, packet dropping by hardware or software, and packet reordering by software.

37. The computer readable medium of claim 35, wherein the input packet stream includes at least one associated workload, the workload specifying one or more parameters of a group of parameters used by the model comprising:

packet input parameters;

memory request parameters;

PMU configuration parameters; and

packet instructions.