Network Path Testing via Independent Test Traffic

The same test data frame is dispatched from a network interface device a plurality of times so as to test a network. Since the same test data frame is used, it may be unnecessary for a new test data frame to be provided and protocol processed each time one is required to be sent. The protocol processing resources of the network interface device are then available for sending further traffic in parallel with the dispatch of the test data frames. On the receive side, the network interface device collects statistics regarding the reliable receipt of test frames, without requiring the test frames to be further processed and provided to a driver of the network interface device. In this way, the processing and buffering capacity in the network interface device is available for handling further traffic in parallel with the test traffic.