Testing Multiplay

Multiplay refers to the delivery of voice, video, and data services to an end-user as a unified service. From the end-user's perspective, multiplay services are typically delivered as voice over IP (VoIP), broadcast TV, video on demand (VOD) and high-speed Internet (HSI) over DSL or cable connections.

Testing multiplay requires overcoming multiple challenges brought about by the different characteristics of voice, video, and data traffic. Voice traffic consumes fairly low bandwidth but is highly sensitive to network jitter. Video services require a steady stream of high-bandwidth traffic, but are severely impacted by packet reordering or loss. Data services such as web browsing, peer to peer, file uploads and downloads, and other end-user interactions have application-specific requirements. For a successful multiplay service deployment, the interactions of voice, video, and data traffic and their impact on an end-user's experience need to be measured.

Ixia's IxLoad provides a comprehensive solution for testing multiplay networks and services. IxLoad measures application performance by creating realistic networks that emulate hundreds of thousands of users using complex combinations of services. This allows NEMS to get to market faster with reliable products, carriers and service providers to properly provision their networks, and enterprises to insure the smooth integration of new services.

IxLoad's multiplay capabilities allow our customers to accurately measure their products' performance. According to Nick Hancock, Product Manager, ProCurve Networking by HP: "We are pleased that the (Ixia supported) test proved the capabilities and performance of the ProCurve 8212zl switch. Ixia's integrated test solution provided an essential and rigorous real-world test. The fact that Ixia has the capability to generate stateful and stateless traffic at 10 GbE line speeds gives a superb insight into the realistic performance of the 8212zl."



White Papers

  • . Modern carrier, ISP, and Enterprise networks now carry a wide mix of traffic, with Web, P2P, streaming and download in the lead. A wide range of general and specialized devices are used to generate and forward traffic, with careful attention to quality of service and other performance metrics. This paper discusses the impact of testing these devices and Ixias solutions.
  • Strategies for Managing the P2P Phenomenon open in new window. The growth in P2P traffic and its high-bandwidth characteristics is discussed. P2P challenges for networking devices in a multiplay environment are described. Various solutions and test methodologies are explored, with special emphasis on the use of stateful, policy-based QoS management.
  • Developing a Holistic Testing Strategy for Ensuring a Successful IPTV Deployment - offers a systematic approach to testing an IPTV transport infrastructure in its early and predeployment stages.

Datasheets

Presentations

  • - this presentation, presented as part of the Fall 2007 Ixia days tour, discusses the need for IPTV and business and technology.
  • - this presentation, presented as part of the Fall 2007 Ixia days tour, discusses the industry drivers for delivery of multiplay services. The requirements for application layer forwarding are detailed, including multiplay traffic, peer-to-peer and security elements. The testing challenges are discussed, along with specific measurement requirements.
  • - this presentation covers IxLoad's features for multiplay testing, including advanced network features, inherent flexibility, performance, statistics, and analysis. The full complement of IxLoad emulated protocols is covered.

Test Plans

Brochures

  • IPTV Testing - Ensuring Quality of Experience through Intelligent Testing - Discusses the means by which IPTV is delivered to the home. The implementation differences between broadcast video and video on demand (VoD) are highlighted. An overview of video delivery challenges is presented, including channel change performance. IPTV associated testing requirements are covered.
  • Ixia Testing Solutions - discusses Ixia's testing solutions for switching and routing, multiplay delivery, IMS, data center operations, Carrier Ethernet, network assessment, and broadband access performance and conformance.
  • Ixia Platform - the Ixia chassis and load modules used to generate line-rate traffic and capture results.


IxLoad - a highly scalable, integrated test solution for assessing the performance of multiplay networks and devices. IxLoad emulates subscribers and associated protocols to ensure subscriber Quality of Experience (QoE). Protocols supported include all multiplay elements: HTTP, SSL, FTP, IGMP, MLD, MPEG, RTSP, RTP, MS IPTV, SIP and MGCP. In addition, IxLoad can be used to test critical aspects of the infrastructure, including DNS, DHCP, RADIUS, and LDAP services.

IxNetwork - characterizes the performance and scalability of routers and switches. The application over routes feature allows multiplay testing to occur over established, emulated routes.

IxANVL - contains conformance tests for most of the Internet protocols used in multiplay devices.

IxAutomate - the multiplay test suite contains pre-built scripts for many of the multiplay protocols.

IxChariot - tests multiplay network components with a variety of protocol tests.

Ixia Platform (Chassis/Load Modules) - the Ixia chassis and load modules used to generate line-rate traffic and capture results.





 
 
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