Testing Carrier Ethernet
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Carrier Ethernet is a rapidly growing technology. Service providers are deploying this "carrier-class" Ethernet across WAN topologies in order to deliver enhanced services to subscribers. Testing Carrier Ethernet is vital for both network equipment manufacturers and service providers, who need to verify that their equipment and architectures meet standards and functional criteria. Ixia provides prebuilt tests for testing Carrier Ethernet conformance and performance. IxANVL tests MEF 9 and MEF 14. IxNetwork and IxAutomate test QinQ, PBT/PBB (provider backbone transport/provider backbone bridging), MAC-in-MAC (802.1ah), RSTP/MSTP (rapid spanning tree protocol/multiple STP), BFD, Ethernet OAM, Ethernet CFM, and LACP (link aggregation control protocol).
White Papers
- Carrier Ethernet - Overcoming the Challenges of Carrier Ethernet Services - an overview of Carrier Ethernet is presented, including the service definitions defined by the Metro Ethernet Forum. Testing of Carrier Ethernet functions addressed.
Datasheets
- Carrier Ethernet - describes the Ixia test applications that are used to test requirements associated with Carrier Ethernet networks.
- IxNetwork - describes IxNetwork capabilities for switch and router testing in general and in the Carrier Ethernet space.
Application Notes
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- - describes how IxANVL's conformance test suite can be used to test Metro Ethernet Forum 9 device readiness.
- - describes how IxANVL's conformance test suite can be used to test Metro Ethernet Forum 14 device readiness.
- - discusses how PBT (IEEE 802.1Qay) may be tested with IxNetwork, as part of a plan for testing Carrier Ethernets.
Test Plan
- - Includes 14 test plans that cover the use of Ixia test applications for Carrier Ethernet solutions. Tests cover Q-in-Q, MAC-in-MAC, Provider Backbone Transport (PBT) and PBT Performance and Failover tests.
Brochures
- - The developing standards are discussed along with the challenges associated with Carrier Ethernet delivery. Ixia's hardware/software products testing Carrier Ethernets are detailed.
- - discusses Ixia's testing solutions for switching and routing, Triple Play delivery, IMS, data center operations, Carrier Ethernet, network assessment, and broadband access performance and conformance.
- - the Ixia chassis and load modules used to generate line-rate traffic and capture results.
Poster
Presentations
- - details the protocols used in the support of Carrier Ethernet and the Ixia test applications that test those protocols.

IxANVL - automatically validate network/protocol compliance and interoperability. IxANVL provides a conformance suite for testing Metro Ethernet Forum 9 requirements.
IxAutomate - automates performance, scalability, and functional testing of network devices. IxAutomate includes scripts to test service attributes defined in MEF 14. Additional tests are included, which may be used to qualify the underlying Carrier Ethernet technologies, such as LACP.
IxNetwork - characterizes the performance and scalability of routers and switches. IxNetwork includes the facilities for testing Ethernet OAM and CFM, BFD, and bridging and routing protocols.
IxExplorer - interactively tests the capabilities and performance of all network devices. Tests MEF 9, MEF 14 and Ethernet CFM and OAM functionality.
Ixia Platform (Chassis/Load Modules) - the Ixia chassis and load modules used to generate line-rate traffic and capture results.
Events
- Broadband World Forum, Berlin - October 9-12, 2007
- PT Expo, Beijing - October 23-26, 2007
Press Releases
- June 19, 2007 - Ixia Launches World's First Test for PBT/PBB in Carrier Ethernet
- September 5, 2007 - Ixia Joins Carrier Ethernet Ecosystem
- September 24, 2007 - Ixia to Showcase PBT, T-MPLS Carrier Ethernet Test Solutions at CEWC in Geneva (See the Interoperability Test Results
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