an embodiment of the invention comprises a method and system for testing a networking system &# 39 ; s performance . the invention solves a problem related to upgrading system components associated with different steps of the testing process for networking systems . systems embodying the invention comprise a processing apparatus and a testing apparatus , each of which contains a data bus . the two data buses are linked together through a bi - directional communication bridge that allows the testing apparatus and the processing apparatus to transparently communicate such that the bridged data buses behave as through they exist on a same local bus . the architecture provided by the invention allows for the upgrading of a processing apparatus for enhanced data processing performance without changing existing adequate testing devices .