Method of and an apparatus for testing connections in a network

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for testing electronic signals in a network, comprising network units between which information can be exchanged by electronic data transmission through network connections. A plurality of testing components are coupled each to one or more of the network connections so that the testing components each can detect electronic signals relating to the electronic data transmission through the one or more network connections. To fulfill a testing task, a master-server configuration is established between at least two testing components in response to the respective specific testing task. The testing components which form part of the master-server configuration are synchronized in time to that the test signals detected can be processed in accordance with their hierarchy and dependence in time.

1. A method of testing electronic signals in a network, comprising network units between which information can be exchanged by electronic data transmission through network connections, wherein a plurality of testing components are coupled each to one or more of the network connections so that the testing components each can detect electronic signals relating to the electronic data transmission through the one or more network connections to which the respective testing component is coupled, the method comprising the following steps:
 establishing a test connection for exchange of electronic signals, including test and/or control signals, between one of the testing components and at least another one of the testing components in response to a current testing task, the one testing component being coupled to one network connection and the at least one other testing component being coupled to another network connection in the network;  
 establishing a master-server configuration in response to the current testing task, the one testing component being configured as a master testing component and the at least one other testing component being configured as a server testing component;  
 automatically synchronizing in time the master testing component and the server testing component:  
 electronically initiating detection of current electronic test signals by the master testing component on the other network connection by means of the server testing component and allocating electronic time information to the detected current electronic test signals in automatic consideration of the previously accomplished time synchronization;  
 processing the detected current electronic test signals and the allocated electronic time information by the server testing component and/or the master testing component in automatic consideration of the allocated electronic time information, and  
 carrying out another current testing task upon termination of the current testing task, wherein another master-server configuration is established in response to the other current testing task, the at least one other testing component being configured as a master testing component and the one testing component being configured as a server testing component.  
 
     
     
       2. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that establishment of the master-server configuration in response to the current testing task and/or establishment of the other master-server configuration in response to the other current testing task are limited to a predetermined period of time of which the duration depends on the current or other current testing task, respectively. 
     
     
       3. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that a synchronization connection for automatic synchronization in time is established between the master testing component and the server testing component for exchanging synchronization signals. 
     
     
       4. The method as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that synchronization signals transmitted from the master testing component to the server testing component comprise time standard signals so that the automatic synchronizing in time is released by the master testing component. 
     
     
       5. The method as claimed in any one of  claim 1 , characterized in that time standard signals transmitted via radio connections are received by the master testing component and/or the server testing component for automatic synchronizing in time. 
     
     
       6. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that electronic data of characteristics of the network are automatically taken into consideration in establishing the test connection and establishing the master-server configuration in response to the current testing task and/or in establishing the further master-server configuration in response to the further current testing task. 
     
     
       7. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the master-server configuration in response to the current testing task and/or the further master-server configuration in response in response to the further testing task are established by a client-server process. 
     
     
       8. A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the network is a telecommunications network. 
     
     
       9. A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the network is an energy supply net. 
     
     
       10. A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the network is a network of traffic engineering systems. 
     
     
       11. A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the network is a network of process engineering measurement/control systems. 
     
     
       12. A method of testing electronic signals in a network, comprising network units between which information can be exchanged by electronic data transmission through network connections, wherein a plurality of testing components are coupled each to one or more of the network connections so that the testing components each can detect electronic signals relating to the electronic data transmission through the one or more network connections to which the respective testing component is coupled, the method comprising the following steps:
 establishing a test connection for exchange of electronic signals, including test and/or control signals, between one of the testing components and at least another one of the testing components in response to a current testing task, the one testing component being coupled to one network connection and the at least one other testing component being coupled to another network connection in the network;  
 establishing a master-server configuration in response to the current testing task, the one testing component being configured as a master testing component and the at least one other testing component being configured as a server testing component;  
 automatically synchronizing in time the master testing component and the server testing component;  
 electronically initiating detection of current electronic test signals by the master testing component on the other network connection by means of the server testing component and allocating electronic time information to the detected current electronic test signals in automatic consideration of the previously accomplished time synchronization; and  
 
       processing the detected current electronic test signals and the allocated electronic time information by the server testing component and/or the master testing component in automatic consideration of the allocated electronic time information, 
       wherein simulation signals are generated by means of the master testing component and fed into the network, electronic data of the simulation signals, including associated electronic simulation signal time information in response to the previously accomplished synchronizing in time, are stored in the master testing component, and the electronic data of the simulation signals stored in the master testing component are automatically taken into consideration in the processing of the current electronic test signals transmitted from the server testing component to the master testing component. 
     
     
       13. A method of testing electronic signals in a network, comprising network units between which information can be exchanged by electronic data transmission through network connections, wherein a plurality of testing components are coupled each to one or more of the network connections so that the testing components each can detect electronic signals relating to the electronic data transmission through the one or more network connections to which the respective testing component is coupled, the method comprising the following steps:
 establishing a test connection for exchange of electronic signals, including test and/or control signals, between one of the testing components and at least another one of the testing components in response to a current testing task, the one testing component being coupled to one network connection and the at least one other testing component being coupled to another network connection in the network;  
 establishing a master-server configuration in response to the current testing task, the one testing component being configured as a master testing component and the at least one other testing component being configured as a server testing component;  
 automatically synchronizing in time the master testing component and the server testing component;  
 electronically initiating detection of current electronic test signals by the master testing component on the other network connection by means of the server testing component and allocating electronic time information to the detected current electronic test signals in automatic consideration of the previously accomplished time synchronization; and  
 
       processing the detected current electronic test signals and the allocated electronic time information by the server testing component and/or the master testing component in automatic consideration of the allocated electronic time information,
 wherein further simulation signals are generated by means of the server testing component and fed into the network, electronic data of the further simulation signals, including associated electronic simulation signal time information in response to the previously accomplished synchronizing in time, are transmitted from the server testing component to the master testing component, and the electronic data of the further simulation signals transmitted from the server testing component to the master testing component are automatically taken into consideration in the processing of the current electronic test signals transmitted from the server testing component to the master testing component.  
 
     
     
       14. An apparatus for testing electronic signals in a network including network units between which information can be exchanged by electronic data transmission through network connections, the apparatus comprising
 connecting means for coupling to one or more of the network connections;  
 interface means for establishing a test connection with at least one other testing apparatus in response to a current testing task for exchanging electronic data, including test and/or control signals, with the at least one other testing apparatus;  
 configuration means for establishing a master-server configuration with the at least one other testing apparatus in response to the current testing task, the testing apparatus being configured as a master testing apparatus and the at least one other testing apparatus being configured as a server testing apparatus;  
 synchronizing means for time synchronization with the at least one other testing apparatus;  
 detecting means for detecting current electronic test signals relating to an electronic data transfer through the one or more network connections;  
 allocating means for automatically allocating electronic time information to detected current electronic test signals in automatic consideration of the time synchronization with the at least one other testing apparatus;  
 transmitting means for transmitting detected current electronic test signals and the allocated electronic time information to the at least one other testing apparatus; and  
 processing means for processing the detected current electronic test signals and the allocated electronic time information,  
 means for establishing another master-server configuration in response to another current testing task upon termination of the current testing task, the at least one other testing apparatus being configured as a master testing apparatus and the testing apparatus being configured as a server testing apparatus.  
 
     
     
       15. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , characterized by display means for electronic output of the current electronic test signals detected and/or the current electronic test signals processed by the processing means. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , characterized by a user interface for detection of user inputs and/or for the output of user data. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , characterized by receiving means for receiving time standard signals which are transmitted via radio connections. 
     
     
       18. A method of testing electronic signals in a network, comprising:
   establishing a test connection between a first testing component and a second testing component, the first testing component being coupled to a first network connection and the second testing component being coupled to a second network connection in the network;        establishing a first master - server configuration for accomplishing a first current testing task, the first testing component being configured as a master testing component and the second testing component being configured as a server testing component;        electronically initiating detection of current electronic test signals on the second network connection by means of the second testing component and allocating electronic time information to the detected current electronic test signals;        processing the detected current electronic test signals and the allocated electronic time information;        terminating the first current testing task; and        carrying out a second current testing task, wherein a second master - server configuration is established such that the second testing component is configured as a master testing component and the first testing component is configured as a server testing component.     
     
     
       19. A method as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising automatically synchronizing in time the first testing component and the second testing component. 
     
     
       20. A method as recited in  claim 19 , further comprising establishing a synchronization connection between the first and second testing components for communicating synchronization signals. 
     
     
       21. A method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein time standard signals are transmitted from the first testing component to the second testing component. 
     
     
       22. A method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein time standard signals transmitted via radio connections are received by at least one of the first and second testing components. 
     
     
       23. A method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein establishment of the first master- server configuration is limited to a predetermined period of time of which the duration depends on the first current testing task.   
     
     
       24. A method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein data concerning characteristics of the network are automatically taken into consideration in establishing the test connection and establishing the first and second master- server configurations.   
     
     
       25. A method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the first and second master- server configurations are established by a client - server process.