US Patent 7515585 Data communication optimization

Data communication optimization is disclosed. In a method, when data transmission is requested, an outgoing data unit is prepared with dummy payload data. In a method, when data reception is requested, the header and validation information from an incoming data unit is provided while the payload of the data unit is ignored. The methods cause an increase in the throughput of a network card when transmitting and/or receiving a data units having a large payload. The methods may be achieved on a hardware device included on a board in a network testing system and/or with associated software.