Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: determining that a diagnostic test should be performed on a hardware component of a plurality of hardware components, wherein the plurality of hardware components support a plurality of agent devices and at least one agent device of the plurality of agent devices is assigned to at least one of the plurality of hardware components; ensuring that no agent device of the plurality of agent devices is assigned to the hardware component; and after ensuring that no agent device of the plurality of agent devices is assigned to the hardware component, performing the diagnostic test on the hardware component, wherein at least one other hardware component of the plurality of hardware components continues operation during performance of the diagnostic test.