Direct Connection Test
The most basic application of the StreamSwitch is a direct connection between the Device Under Test (DUT) and the a testing application. The testing application sends data to the DUT and expects some sort of response. An example of this may be copying a file from the testing application to the DUT while the StreamSwitch is used to periodically disconnect then reconnect the link between the two.

In this case, the DUT will experience a disruption in the data flow along with a link down message. Very short (250ms) to extremely long (>1 min) cases may be tested. Varying lengths of disconnections will test various timeout triggers in the DUT.

Asymmetrical Disruption

A Category 5 Ethernet cable consists of 4 twisted pairs of copper conductors. An advanced variation of this test would be to use StreamSwitch’s ability to disconnect designated pairs of cables. This partial disruption test may simulate a “jiggled” cable or an improperly constructed cable. Again, short and long cable disruptions may be tested.

Automated Testing
The StreamSwitch is supplied with widgets to enable automated testing tools such as LodeRunner, UNH test scripts, Visual Test and others to programmatically control the StreamSwitch.

Scripts running on the Automated Test Tool may be written to disrupt the connection at controlled times to systematically test various error recovery mechanisms. For example, the test script may choose to induce a “link down” condition during the various states of TCP connection establishment.


Lost Packet Testing
When sandwiched between Ethernet hubs or switches, the StreamSwitch may create a link disruption condition without inducing a “link down” message to the DUT.

This configuration may be used to test a condition where a few or many packets are lost while traversing a large network or across the Internet. Because there is no “link down” notification at the DUT, upper layer protocol error recovery mechanisms will be exercised. Short (250ms) and long (>30 sec) disconnections along with fast sequence disconnections will test different recovery paths.

Redundant Link Testing
For products with multiple ports and automatic failover technology, multiple StreamSwitches may be used to verify the automatic failover / failback mechanisms.

An external Test Management Station using StreamSwitch’s widgets or command line interface may be used to simulate fail-over / fail-back and dual link failure conditions. This configuration may also be used for testing multiple aggregated link technologies such as 802.3ad.