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Carrier Ethernet Testing

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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).

Ixia TV

Carrier Ethernet Protocols and Testing with IxNetwork (00:02:30) - February, 2008

IxNetwork is used to test Carrier and Metro Ethernet protocols and networks

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

IxNetwork - describes IxNetwork capabilities for switch and router testing in general and in the Carrier Ethernet space.
Ethernet Link OAM Emulation Software
Ethernet CFM Emulation Software

Application Notes Login Required

Ethernet CFM Testing with IxNetwork (unknown size) - describes how IxNetwork can be used to test the IEEE 802.1ag connectivity and fault management (CFM) protocol.
MEF9 Conformance Testing with IxANVL (unknown size) - describes how IxANVL's conformance test suite can be used to test Metro Ethernet Forum 9 device readiness.
Testing MEF14 with IxAutomate (unknown size) - describes how IxAutomate’s MEF test suite can be used to test a device for Metro Ethernet Forum 14 compliance.
PBT Reliability Testing with IxNetwork (unknown size) - discusses how PBT (IEEE 802.1Qay) may be tested with IxNetwork, as part of a plan for testing Carrier Ethernets.

Test Plan

Testing Ethernet Protocols Used To Build Carrier Ethernet Services (1.56 MB ) - describes test plan and test methodology for testing IEEE 802.1ad Provider Bridges (a.k.a. Q-in-Q), IEEE 802.1ah Provider Backbone Bridges (a.k.a. MAC-in-MAC) and IEEE 802.1Qay PBB-TE (a.k.a. PBT) with IxNetwork.
Carrier Ethernet Test Plans - Ethernet-based Transports (1.56 MB ) - 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

Carrier Ethernet - Overcoming the Challenges of Carrier Ethernet Services (3.43 MB ) - The developing standards are discussed along with the challenges associated with Carrier Ethernet delivery. Ixia's hardware/software products testing Carrier Ethernets are detailed.
Ixia Testing Solutions (11 MB ) - 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.
Ixia Platform (1.22 MB ) - the Ixia chassis and load modules used to generate line-rate traffic and capture results.

Poster

Technologies Enabling Carrier Ethernet (22.07 MB )

Presentations

Carrier Ethernet - Overcoming the Challenges of Carrier Ethernet Services (14.39 MB )
Carrier Ethernet Test Solutions (1.75 MB ) - details the protocols used in the support of Carrier Ethernet and the Ixia test applications that test those protocols.
IxNetwork Overview (3.07 MB )

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

September 25, 2008 - Isocore, IEC Recognize Ixia's Peer-to-Peer Testing Capabilities
CALABASAS, Calif. – (Sept. 25, 2008) – Ixia (NASDAQ: XXIA), a leading, global provider of IP performance test systems, today announced that both the Isocore Internetworking Lab and the International Engineering Consortium (IEC) recognized...
September 22, 2008 - Ixia to Demonstrate Carrier Ethernet Testing Capabilities at Carrier Ethernet World Congress
CALABASAS, Calif. – (Sept. 22, 2008) – Ixia (NASDAQ: XXIA), a leading, global provider of IP performance test systems, will participate in the world’s largest and most advanced live, public Carrier Ethernet multi-vendor inte...
September 24, 2007 - Ixia to Showcase PBT, T-MPLS Carrier Ethernet Test Solutions at CEWC in Geneva
CALABASAS, Calif. - (Sept. 24, 2007) - Ixia (NASDAQ: XXIA), a leading, global provider of IP performance test systems, announced that it is participating in the European Advanced Networking Test Center's (EANTC AG) live, multivendor interoperabili...
(See the Interoperability Test Results )
September 5, 2007 - Ixia Joins Carrier Ethernet Ecosystem
CALABASAS, Calif. - (Sept 5, 2007) - Ixia (NASDAQ: XXIA), a leading, global provider of IP performance test systems, has joined Nortel's (NYSE/TSX: NT) Carrier Ethernet Ecosystem initiative as a key test solution supplier. Ixia and Nortel will cooper...
June 19, 2007 - Ixia Launches World's First Test for PBT/PBB in Carrier Ethernet
CALABASAS, Calif. — (June 19, 2007) — Ixia (Nasdaq: XXIA), a leading, global provider of IP performance test systems, today announced the first test solution for Carrier Ethernet based on Provider Backbone Transport (PBT) and Provider Bac...