METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIA FOR IMPAIRMENT TESTING USING AN EMULATED SWITCHING FABRIC ENVIRONMENT

One method occurs at an impairment test system. The method includes receiving test configuration information for configuring a testing environment comprising an emulated switching fabric environment implemented using at least one switching application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), wherein the test configuration information includes testing environment target state information; configuring, using the test configuration information, an impairment test session involving a system under test (SUT) and the emulated switching fabric environment; wherein configuring the impairment test session includes configuring at least one impairment controller for impairing the testing environment during the impairment test session; and initiating the impairment test session, wherein initiating the impairment test session includes generating and sending, using at least one traffic generator, test traffic via the emulated switching fabric environment and effecting at least one impairment of the testing environment during the impairment test session using a feedback control loop and the at least one impairment controller.