Embodiments provide systems and techniques for testing the functionality of a network architecture having multiple redundant internet protocol (IP) networks. An example system includes a first IP network having a first network device, and a second IP network having a second network device. The system also includes a computing device coupled to the first IP network via the first network device and to the second IP network via the second network device. The first network device is configured to selectively forward first packet(s) of the IP media traffic flow to the computing device when the first packet(s) satisfies a first predetermined condition. The second network device is configured to selectively forward second packet(s) of the IP media traffic flow to the computing device when the second packet(s) satisfies a second predetermined condition.
BACKGROUND (1) Media facilities generally employ internet protocol (IP) networks that are able to receive, process, forward, and generate IP media traffic flows, such as media-over-IP multicast production media traffic flows. The IP media traffic flows may carry different types of media traffic, including, for example, video, audio, metadata, and combinations thereof. Because IP media production often involves latency sensitive traffic, such as live streaming video, media facilities generally assure delivery on IP networks by using multiple active transmission links to handle IP media traffic flows instead of either retransmission methods or active/passive failover systems. For example, a resilient architecture may incorporate multiple independent IP networks (often referred to as “Red/Blue” networks), where identical IP traffic follows multiple discrete paths (through the multiple independent IP networks) from the source to the destination. Such an architecture may allow for IP traffic to arrive intact at the destination in the event of a failure of one or more components along one of the paths. In order for the destination to operate in such a resilient architecture, the destination needs multiple distinct inputs (e.g., a respective network interface card for receiving IP traffic from each IP network). The destination can then receive IP traffic from both inputs. Such a network architecture design with multiple independent IP networks can pose challenges when testing the fu
1. A system for testing a functionality of a media network comprising: a first internet protocol (IP) network comprising a first network device having a normal operation and a test operation; a second IP network comprising a second network device having the normal operation and the test operation; a first computing device coupled to the first IP network via the first network device and to the second IP network via the second network device; and a second computing device coupled to the first IP network via the first network device and to the second IP network via the second network device; wherein when the first network device and the second network device are both in the normal operation: the first network device is configured to receive a first plurality of packets of an IP media traffic flow from the first computing device and forward the first plurality of packets to the second computing device; and the second network device is configured to receive the first plurality of packets of the IP media traffic flow from the first computing device and forward the first plurality of packets to the second computing device; and wherein when the first network device and the second network device are both in the test operation: the first network device is configured to receive a second plurality of packets of the IP media traffic flow from the first computing device and selectively discard one or more of the second plurality of packets, and forward the second plurality of packets other than the one or more of the second plurality of packets to the second computing device; and the second network device is configured to receive the second plurality of packets of the IP media traffic flow from the first computing device and selectively discard the second plurality of packets other than the one or more of the second plurality of packets, and forward the one or more of the second plurality of packets to the second computing device. ||
9. A computer-implemented method performed by a controller in a system comprising a first internet protocol (IP) network including a first network device having a normal operation and a test operation, a second IP network including a second network device having the normal operation and the test operation, a first computing device coupled to the first IP network via the first network device and to the second IP network via the second network device, and a second computing device coupled to the first IP network via the first network device and to the second IP network via the second network device, the computer-implemented method comprising: in response to configuring the first network device and the second network device both in the normal operation: receiving, by the first network device, a first plurality of packets of an IP media traffic flow from the first computing device and forwarding the first plurality of packets to the second computing device; and receiving, by the second network device, the first plurality of packets of the IP media traffic flow from the first computing device and forward the first plurality of packets to the second computing device; and in response to configuring the first network device and the second network device both in the test operation: receiving, by the first network device, a second plurality of packets of the IP media traffic flow from the first computing device and selectively discard one or more of the second plurality of packets, and forwarding the second plurality of packets other than the one or more of the second plurality of packets to the second computing device; and receiving, by the second network device, the second plurality of packets of the IP media traffic flow from the first computing device and selectively discard the second plurality of packets other than the one or more of the second plurality of packets, and forwarding the one or more of the second plurality of packets to the second computing device.