Ixia to Exhibit at Mobile World Congress 2010

Will demonstrate several LTE testing scenarios to put "Vision In Action!"

February 1, 2010. Please join us at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, February 15-18, and see how Ixia can satisfy all your wireless and converged IP network testing needs. For four days, mobile technology leaders gather, collaborate, conduct business, and experience and enact the show's theme: VISION IN ACTION.

Ixia provides test solutions for modern wireless technologies: LTE, Evolved Packet Core (EPC), Evolved High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA+), and Mobile Backhaul. Using IxCatapult, mobile service providers perform full pre-deployment capacity and service validation, and regression testing. Telecommunication equipment manufacturers can perform negative and conformance testing along with full functional and stress testing with millions of emulated subscribers and line rate application traffic.

Ixia is the leader in providing converged IP network testing solutions for service providers, network equipment manufacturers, enterprises, and governments worldwide. Ixia’s products test the performance, interoperability, and standards conformance of devices and networks – in the lab and in the field.

Come visit us at Mobile World Congress at our booth (# 1C62) and talk to Ixia’s industry experts about:

• LTE Radio Access
• Evolved Packet Core
• IMS
• UMTS
• Mobile Backhaul
• Synchronous Ethernet
• IPSec

We look forward to seeing you there. For further information about Ixia and its products, please visit www.ixiacom.com. General information about the show can be found at http://www.mobileworldcongress.com/index.htm.

Ixia to Participate at the MPLS and Ethernet World Congress

January 22, 2010. Ixia will be presenting at the MPLS and Ethernet World Congress in Paris on February 9-12.

This year’s MPLS and Ethernet World Congress includes a “Carrier Ethernet Global Interconnect” test program and showcase managed by EANTC in partnership with Ancotel and Light Reading. This test program will push Carrier Ethernet services to their limit and test global service providers’ setups for their functionality, performance, reliability, and interoperability. The technical areas are based on the latest advances in the MPLS and Ethernet industry, including IP/MPLS multicast services, MPLS-TP evolution, and MPLS to the edge, among others. Ixia’s IxNetwork and IxN2X are the tools of choice for EANTC, and will be generating all the required traffic and statistics. At this year’s show, Ixia will be demonstrating testing solutions for:

1. IP/MPLS and Ethernet Multicast Services
2. Packet and Optical Integration
3. Mobile Backhaul
4. MPLS and Ethernet Transport & Access
5. Management test

EANTC and Ixia will be presenting the test and the hot-staging results in the Interop booth. Check out the MPLS and Etherenet Mobile World Congress website for more information.

Ixia Demonstrates Data Center Testing Expertise

Ixia speaks at Ethernet Alliance and Ethernet Summit

January 22, 2010. Ixia has always been on the forefront of technology, and has presenters speaking at two upcoming Ethernet symposiums.

Ethernet Alliance Technology Exploration Forum – Get the latest data on the most recent challenges and solutions at this upcoming Ethernet Alliance event! Hear about the needs, applications, adoption and the deployment of next generation Ethernet in the data center from technology experts. Learn about the latest advances in Higher Speed Ethernet.

Ixia Product Manager Charles Siefert will present a paper on the testing requirements for HSE deployment in the data center.

Ethernet Technology Summit –  This summit focuses on the latest advances in Ethernet technology, particularly the new specifications for 40/100 GbE, Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), and Energy-Efficient Ethernet. It features the latest information on these advances from the experts who are developing the specifications and designing the initial products for them.

Ixia Marketing Evangelist Dave Schneider will present a paper on the need for 100 Gbps deployment and how it will change the networking landscape. At this same event, Ixia has three people on various panels:

• Analyzing a Platform's TCP Performance and Compliance – Michael Githens 
• Carrier Ethernet Implementation: How to Profit Without Pain  – Peter Atanasovski
• 10 Gigabit Ethernet as a Mainstream Technology – Dave Schneider

For more information or to sign up for either conference, click on the links above.

1600T Chassis Swap Offer

Trade in your 1600T for an XM12 at no charge!

Microsoft has decided to discontinue support for Windows 2000, but that doesn't mean it's the end of the road for your Ixia 1600T. Your Ixia 1600T has served you well over the years. Now it's time to put it out to pasture and upgrade to the efficiency and performance of a new XM12 – for no charge!

For a limited time, we'll throw in a brand new XM12 chassis when you trade-in your 1600T and purchase one or more XM-series load module(s).

With the incredible performance of the XM12, you will race through your test suites in half the time, and the high density hardware will consolidate up to 192 GigE ports or 96 10 GigE ports in a single chassis. The XM12 will take up less lab space and lower your long-term cost of ownership.

You'll also have access to the very latest features and technologies:

• Need to run high volume application traffic with real-time QoS monitoring? No problem.
• Need to add 40 Gbps or 100Gbps Ethernet ports? No problem.

Ixia's got you covered.

Ixia backs up its hardware and software with world-class service and support. The Ixia Professional Services organization is available to show you how you can make the best advantage of your new hardware.

This limited time offer ends on March 31, 2010.

Call 1-888-OWN-IXIA or submit this form for a personalized proposal:

Ixia Teams with Agilent Technologies to Offer Industry's First HDMI 1.4

January 25, 2010. Ixia announced the availability of the world's first solution for HDMI Ethernet Channel networking test. By combining Ixia's IxN2X traffic generator and Agilent's HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC) and Audio Return Channel (ARC) physical layer test solution, the two companies become the first to offer a complete solution for testing devices according to the HDMI 1.4 Compliance Test Specification (CTS), Supplement 2.

"As devices exploiting the HDMI Ethernet channel proliferate in the digital home and other multimedia environments, it will be critical to have test solutions to ensure manufacturers are delivering products that conform to the HDMI 1.4 specification,” said Atul Bhatnagar, President and CEO of Ixia. "By providing best-in-class test solutions from both Ixia and Agilent, we are helping developers of HDMI 1.4-enabled products get to market quickly and within the specification."

With more than 850 manufacturers adopting HDMI, it has become the global standard for connecting high-speed consumer electronics and PC products, an estimated one billion HDMI-enabled devices are expected to be in use by 2010. The latest version of the HDMI specification, version 1.4, adds high-speed IP networking to the HDMI cable and connected devices over the HDMI Ethernet Channel Compliance testing to the HDMI 1.4 specification will take place at Authorized Test Centers (ATCs) located worldwide.

"Simplay Labs is committed to making it easier for manufacturers throughout the world to have their products HDMI and Simplay HD tested,” said Damon Vanderhorst, director of operations of Simplay Labs, LLC.  “We extensively use the solutions from Ixia and Agilent in our test programs to certify compliance to the HDMI 1.4 specification.  Plus our enhanced Simplay HD certification gives consumers a consistent ‘plug-and-play’ experience.”

Network protocol testing of devices using the HDMI Ethernet Channel is made possible with the IxN2X Test Solution used in conjunction with Ixia’s N5610A HDMI-Ethernet Converter. The IxN2X solution is the only recommended test equipment for HDMI Ethernet network testing in the HDMI 1.4 Compliance Test Specification. Agilent, together with its solution partner BitifEye complete the HDMI 1.4 HEC/ARC test offering with their Infiniium oscilloscope, 81150A pulse/function/pattern generator, new test point adapters and associated test automation.

Ixia Announces Delivery on its First Phase of "FUSION" Program for IxN2X Customers

Release of version 6.13 of the IxN2X software scheduled for March 2010, announces plan for unified hardware architecture

January 12, 2010. Ixia announced delivery on its continued commitment to the development of the IxN2X platform. At the time of IxN2X acquisition from Agilent, Ixia launched its “Fusion” program to ensure a smooth transition for N2X customers and to provide the best of N2X and Ixia’s applications on one common platform. Ixia will release the IxN2X 6.13 software in March of 2010. Ixia also plans to introduce new hardware that will support both the IxN2X and Ixia’s software platform within the first half of 2010.

Ixia will continue to meet IxN2X customer commitments, and strengthen the IxN2X portfolio via continued product development and investment through 2015. As 2010 progresses, Ixia will make further, detailed announcements on how the company plans to combine the two product lines and create a layer 2 and 3 testing solution that truly unifies the best of both the Ixia IxNetwork and the IxN2X platforms. IxN2X Release 6.13 includes valuable feature enhancements such as 1588v2 PTP emulation, L2VPN for BGP, and IPv6 capabilities for PPPv6.

“It is gratifying to see the support that we have received from our global N2X customers. I’m excited about the prospect of what our passionate Ixia and N2X development teams can yet achieve working together with our customers,” said Atul Bhatnagar, President and CEO of Ixia. “Our objective is to provide test solutions that are the best of both worlds.”

Several major customers that have seen the IxN2X roadmap are very impressed with Ixia’s ongoing development plans for the product line. The purchase of the N2X product has placed Ixia as a clear leader in layer 2 and 3 testing market.

“The acquisition of the N2X business from Agilent Technologies is a critical move for Ixia in the Ethernet testing market that positions the company to achieve the leadership position in 2009 and forward,” said Olga Yashkova, Industry Analyst for Frost & Sullivan.

Additional information on the on the IxN2X and the Fusion program can be obtained on the Ixia web site.

Ixia Presents at the 12th Annual Needham Growth Stock Conference

Presentation Webcast on January 14, 2010

January 6, 2010. Ixia participated in the following event with the financial community:                     

An archived presentation is accessible from the "Investors" section of Ixia website (www.ixiacom.com).

Ixia Wins Frost & Sullivan LTE Value Enhancement Award

January 25, 2010. Frost & Sullivan's has presented Ixia the 2009 North American WiMax and LTE Equipment Customer Value Enhancement Award.

The award is presented each year to the company that demonstrates excellence in implementing proactive strategies that improve customer's return on the investment for their services or products. This award recognized Ixia's extraordinary focus on enhancing the value that its customers receive, beyond simply providing good customer service.

For information on Ixia's LTE testing solution, see our wireless solution page.

Ixia's IxChariot Webinars

Ixia hosts a series of IxChariot webinars on how IxChariot can be used for network testing. An update of the Introduction to IxChariot webinar runs every Wednesday and covers testing and network device assessment using IxChariot.

• Network & Device Assessment with IxChariot - Every Wednesday. @ 9am PDT (4pm GMT)

Keep checking www.IxChariot.com for future webinar topics; new webinars will be announced frequently. You can register for any webinar at the IxChariot webinar web page. If you would like to be notified when the final details for webinars are available or to have us register you for a webinar, contact us at contact_us@ixiacom.com.

Testing Wireless with Subscriber Modeling

January 22, 2010.  With the advent of 4G wireless applications the world is rapidly shrinking, drawing subscribers together in new and powerful ways. We are heading towards an always-on, always connected world. Engaging, media-rich mobile applications will become the norm, and the productivity gains from this hyper-interactivity will be profound. Mobile devices such as smart phones, netbooks, and similar yet-to-be-designed tools will serve as on-ramps to the Internet and will allow anytime, anywhere access to critical information. User imagination and demand is easily outpacing network capacity, and the journey to worldwide 4G LTE wireless has begun in earnest.

Testing of next-gen converged networks requires independent testing of wireless and wired components as well as complete end-to-end testing. With multimedia and peer-to-peer applications accounting for the lion’s share of 3G/4G bandwidth usage, it is essential that pre-deployment testing utilize realistic traffic simulation. This ensures that networks be properly provisioned and that there are no surprises. The perception of the service quality is everything to the customer, and the lynchpin in preventing customer churn.

In addition to traditional network-based packet metrics such as latency, jitter, and packet loss, service providers need to use QoE testing to understand the user experience prior to network deployment. This requires correlating QoE statistics on an aggregated and per-user basis, determining when subscribers and services do not meet defined service level agreements (SLA), and understanding the impact of one service on another as they compete for network resources. 

Traffic shaping and QoS policies are critical to the integrity of these SLAs, and a growing and important trend in service provider network traffic shaping is the use of data packet inspection (DPI). DPI goes beyond the typical processing of header information and looks at the data within the packet to determine the type of traffic being processed. This allows a service provider to limit potential bottlenecks in their network by enacting more consistent QoS policies.. Not only does DPI allow for better network control, but it prevents unauthorized users and service types, denial of service attacks and other malicious traffic disguised as legitimate applications, and allows providers to manage bandwidth-intensive traffic such as P2P. Subscriber modeling is the perfect means to simulate traffic patterns that include such types of traffic in order to test content-aware devices.

Ixia’s commitment to end-to-end wireless testing is unparalleled in the industry. Its two products – IxLoad for evolved packet core testing and IxCatapult for wireless edge testing – provide a complete end-to-end testing solution for service providers and telecom equipment manufacturers. Not only can this solution test the physical equipment for ability and resiliency, but with realistic subscriber modeling it can verify that the deployment lives up to the expectaions of a service provider’s customers.  IxLoad provides subscriber modeling that closely mimics the dynamic nature of consumer behavior. Subscriber modeling, coupled with IxLoad’s ability to generate city-scale volumes of traffic, allows TEMs and service providers to assess the performance of their service delivery.

Visit Ixia's wireless solution page to find out more about our end-to-end- wireless testing solutions.

New Brochures from Ixia

January 22, 2010. Ixia has a number of new brochures and papers that highlight different use cases and solutions:

• Solutions Brochure: Explains and demonstrates all of Ixia's innovative testing solutions.
• Wireless Brochure: Gives an overview of Ixia's wireless testing solution using IxLoad and IxCatapult.
• Global Support Brochure: Provides a detailed summary of Ixia's support options world-wide.

Please take the time to examine these brochures if they fit your needs. All our brochures are available in our online library.

Latest Ixia Hardware and Software Releases for Q1 2010

January 1, 2010.  Ixia released (or will shortly release) the following major software and hardware products. To download a new software product, go to Ixia's download and update web page. If you aren't currently an Ixia customer, contact our sales team or customer support to learn about the latest in Ixia wares.

Software

IxOS 5.60 EA  – Support for:

• LSM1000XMVDC load modules with DCE/FCoE functionality
• LSM1000XMSP12-01 as replacement for the original LSM1000XMS12-01 load module
• Support for IEEE 1588v2  has been added on the IxYukon load module family.
• Higher Speed Ethernet 40 GE, 100 GE and 40/100 GE dual speed load modules
• IFS Stretch (IEEE802.3ae-2005) 10G WAN frame rate calculation
• DCE/FCoE  enhancements
• Added support for 2.5ns timing and latency resolution for K2 ports
• MDIO support is available in IxExplorer for 40 GE, 100 GE
• VMWare Support For IxExplorer and Tcl has been added

HLTAPI 3.80 GA – Support for:

• ANCP protocol Enhancements
• BGP Enhancements support VPN/VPLS/MPLS BGP neighbors
• OSPFv2 Opaque User LSAs with IxTclNetwork
• New Traffic Statistics
• Quick Flow groups
• Raw packets
• new Traffic Item options

IxAdmin 1.00 GA SP3 – This release now supports IxChariot, IxSAN, IxDefend, and Test Conductor.

IxANVL 7.70 EA – This release added test suites for MVRP/MMRP, BFD, and OSPF-GR.

IxAutomate 6.90 – The following feataures have been added:

• A new Advanced Test Option called “Prime DUT”  
• RFC 2544 is enhanced so that you can specify the units to use for the Tx traffic rate and the report unit rate used in the results
• RFC 2889 test suite is enhanced to include the ability to configure the learning frames frequency to be per iteration
• The IP Multicast test suite is enhanced to support QinQ

IxDefend 4.10 EA – Support for 3G Protocols, Link Management Protocols, and Metro Ethernet Protocols.

IxLoad 4.30 EA SP1 – New support for:

• Application Replay
• Stateless Replay
• HTTP Enhancements
• Wireless Mobile Subscriber/RADIUS Enhancements
• CIFS Enhancements

IxNetwork 5.40 EA SP1 – Support has been added for the following features:

• HSE40/100GETSP1-01 (K2) Load Module
• IxYukon-NP Load Modules · Support added for the IxYukon 10GBASE-T Load Modules
• FCoE/FIP 
• HLT API and HLP API Scriptgen support added for the following features: ViperCore traffic and Statistics features, ISIS, OSPFv3, RSVP , EIGRP, MLD, IGMP, RIP, RIPng, PPP, L2TP, ANCP, DHCPv4
• Floating Timestamps as port property in IxNetwork
• ANCP manual control
• Multiple NAS IPs in each ANCP range
• DCBX/LLDP emulation
• RSVP-TE Refresh incremental messages
• Custom View Wizard
• Per priority PFC PAUSE Rx statistics
• Reporting of error statistics
• Random MAC'addresses in the IxNetwork packet editor
• Traffic configuration for L2 MPLS VPN/VPLS configurations
• Varying frame size support for PPPoX traffic
• Configuration of 'Fixed Duration' for traffic transmit  
• Windows 2008 Server support has been added 

Test Conductor 2.30 EA SP1 – support for the following new features:

• Test Reporter plug-in 
• Test Composer Summary Mode
• IxChariot Plug-in
• IxAutomate Plug-in Enhancements
• Regressions containing multiple instances of the same test 
• Stat Query Command 
• IxNetwork Test Composer integration with IxNetwork 5.40 SP1

IxCatapult  Release 18.2 – Support for:

• LTE: MAC and PHY Statistics Reporting
• LTE Release 8 RRC Enc/Dec (September 2009)
• LTE S1-AP Enc/Dec (September 2009)
• LTE  X2-AP Enc/Dec (September 2009)
• UMTS FP Enc/Dec, June 2009
• CATTGen: Ability to extract Information Elements of interest from incoming messages
• Diameter R8 March 2009 (3GPP29.229)

IxCatapult  Release 18.3 – Support for:

• LTE R8 NAS (September 2009)
• LTE FDD Phase 1: PA/PB
• LTE FDD Phase 1:RRC-Connection-Reestablishment
• LTE FDD Phase 1: Contention Resolution

   

• LTE FDD Phase 1: PDCCH order RACH
• LTE FDD Phase 1: Inter-eNB HO
• LTE FDD Phase 1:RACH Updates
• LTE FDD Phase 1: MAC Semi-persistent scheduling
• LTE FDD Phase 1: Reestablishment during handover
• IP Pass-through (Iub)
• LTE S6a (Diameter, 3GPP 29.272, June 2009)
• Allow making and sending of large SCTP messages with SCTP state machine

Hardware 

LSM1000XMVDC Gigabit Ethernet LAN Services Modules – RJ45 and SPF interface load module, with support for  complete Layer 2-7 network and application testing functionality with support for IxNetwork ViperCore functionality and IEEE 1588, in 16, 12,8, and 4 port versions. This module does not have a reduced functionally version.

LSM1000XMSP12 Gigabit Ethernet LAN Services Module – RJ45 and SPF interface load module, with support for complete Layer 2-7 network and application testing functionality with support for IxNetwork ViperCore functionality and IEEE 1588 with 12 ports. This module does not have a reduced functionally version.

For more information on Ixia's recently acquired IxN2X product line, please visit the IxN2X product page.