Ixia Launches First Test For PBT/PBB In Carrier Ethernet

Calabasas, CA - Ixia recently announced the first test solution for Carrier Ethernet based on Provider Backbone Transport (PBT) and Provider Backbone Bridge (PBB). Ixia's test facilities for PBT/PBB, along with those for Ethernet OAM/CFM, provide network equipment manufacturers and carriers with all the tools needed to test modern Carrier Ethernet solutions. The Carrier Ethernet Test Solution ensures conformance to standards, scalability, interoperability and overall performance under real-world conditions.

With its recent IxNetwork 5.30 release, which is part of its Aptixia test framework, Ixia introduces PBT/PBB, Ethernet OAM/CFM and Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD). Now Ixia offers the broadest range of Carrier Ethernet testing running on its single Optixia XM test platform. Ixia's PBT/PBB capability is part of its new comprehensive Carrier Ethernet Test Solution and it's the first to verify both PBT/PBB and MPLS-based Carrier Ethernet. Tier 1 carriers have committed to the adoption of PBT/PBB because it reduces the complexity and costs of Ethernet transport while providing enhanced QoS. However, the interdependent nature of carrier networks and services demands equipment manufacturers and service providers ensure that their equipment conforms to applicable standards and is ready for live deployment.

"PBT/PBB is an important new part of the Carrier Ethernet solution over switched Ethernet," said Michael Howard, principal at Infonetics Research. "Many service providers are evaluating PBT/PBB as a cost effective mechanism to leverage their switched metro Ethernet network and offer back haul for access networks, extend L2/L3 VPNs, and point-to-point (ELINE) services. Equipment manufactures and service providers need to evaluate the functionality, scalability, and resiliency before deployment."

Ixia also provides conformance and performance test suites that enable network equipment manufacturers and carriers to validate the Metro Forum's test standards MEF 9 and MEF 14. In addition to testing the service attributes of MEF 9 and MEF 14, Ixia tests and stresses any underlying technology such as PBT/PBB, QinQ, MPLS, VPLS transport and the underlying transport such as Gig-E, 10GbE or SONET.

As part of the company's Carrier Ethernet Test Solution, Ixia provides Ethernet OAM/CFM tests for verification and performance measurements of Carrier Ethernet diagnostics. Ethernet OAM (Operations, Administration and Maintenance - IEEE 802.1ah) provides carriers with the ability to diagnose last mile link problems. Ethernet CFM (Configuration Fault Management - IEEE 802.1ag, ITU Y.1731) finds and fixes faults in large scale layer 2 Carrier Networks. Ixia's Carrier Ethernet Test Solution provides the ability to transmit any OAM or CFM standard packet, emulate OAM end-points and CFM MIP/MEPs. Additional features will be available over the coming months.

"Ethernet continues to grow more complex as its role continues to expand, which leads to more potential failures and breakdowns," said Neal Roche, vice president, Product Management at Ixia. "Ixia's roots are in Ethernet and we provide the most comprehensive suite of testing applications for Carrier Ethernet, be it for MEF certifications, MPLS, PBT/PBB or OAM/CFM. Our field proven, single platform ensures the performance of Carrier Ethernet quickly, easily and efficiently by measuring and stressing devices under real-world traffic conditions to validate both maximum scalability and stability."

For more information, see: http://www.ixiacom.com/solutions/carrier_ethernet/.

SOURCE: Ixia