Best in Test Finalists 2010: Communications network test

-- Test & Measurement World, 12/22/2009 12:00:00 PM

Return to the entire list of Best in Test finalists for 2010.

--iTest 3.4 Test Automation Software, Fanfare
--K2 40Gb/100Gb Higher Speed Ethernet Load Modules, Ixia
--T-BERD/MTS-4000 Multiple Services Test Platform, JDSU
--TestCenter HyperMetrics 40/100G Ethernet Test Module, Spirent Communications

 

iTest 3.4 Test Automation Software
Fanfare
www.fanfaresoftware.com

iTest 3.4 is a comprehensive test application for device and heterogeneous system testing. Fanfare says the software offers significant improvements to core iTest functionality, and new features include a Virtual Testbed (VTB) capability. The VTB feature enables engineers to build test cases before devices exist, so they can start the quality process months earlier than before.

Companies can also leverage a VTB for test development by using virtual replicas of real devices and costly test equipment. As a result, they can trim future capital expenditures by better using their lab assets and infrastructure, improve tester productivity while offline or working remotely, and start testing earlier, which will accelerate the time to market for new products and services.

Base price: iTest—$1700 for an annual subscription; VTB capabilities—$2385 annually.

 

K2 40Gb/100Gb Higher Speed Ethernet Load Modules
Ixia
www.ixiacom.com

Internet traffic has grown exponentially as more users generate increasingly complex traffic, and the need for bandwidth for video, peer-to-peer, and wireless is readily apparent. Aggregating 10-Gbps links to handle the increase in traffic not only complicates data centers, but also is costly and labor-intensive. Thus, data centers need to leap from 10-Gbps aggregations to higher-speed Ethernet connections and use 40-Gbps and 100-Gbps network devices.

In response, Ixia's K2 40-100-Gbit Ethernet test modules are aimed at IP network traffic generation and layer 2 to 7 measurement and analysis. K2 modules are engineered to help product teams develop 40-Gbps and 100-Gbps network devices such as routers, switches, and communications devices. They can measure and analyze the performance of higher-speed Ethernet devices at line-rate. Because the modules are compatible with Ixia's chassis and interfaces, users can develop a real-world, full-product tester in a single box.

Price: $395,000. (corrected 1/13/2010; incorrect information was originally provided to T&MW)

 

T-BERD/MTS-4000 Multiple Services Test Platform
JDSU
www.jdsu.com/test

The JDSU T-BERD/MTS-4000 test platform addresses the requirements of field service technicians who must install and maintain Access/FTTx networks and triple-play services. Modular in design, the T-BERD/MTS-4000 is a single instrument that provides complete access-network and triple-play services testing.

The tester improves productivity by helping technicians rapidly identify the causes of nearly every possible infrastructure or service problem and then resolve the problem faster with fewer call-backs (repeats). The tester's modular design makes it both flexible and upgradeable. It offers seamless support for future requirements and new testing capabilities, providing customers with a continuous return on investment.

The T-BERD/MTS-4000 features a 7-in. color display with a touch-screen option that lets technicians view an IPTV stream, a Web browser, or complex test results, such as an OTDR trace or a spectrum analysis. Its connectivity capabilities include remote assistance, remote control, testing automation, and wireless connectivity.

Price range: $4000 to $16,000.

 

TestCenter HyperMetrics 40/100G Ethernet Test Module
Spirent Communications
www.spirent.com

Supported on the Spirent TestCenter platform, the Spirent TestCenter HyperMetrics 40/100G Ethernet test module is designed to accelerate the development of 40/100G Ethernet. The test module supports time-stamp measurements with 2.5-ns resolution, and it provides a high port-density per rack, with two 40-GigE ports and one 100-GigE port per module. It allows a test to scale in number of ports, tunnels, sessions, VPNs, streams, stateful application traffic, and other elements on a single module. The module combines full layer 1 to 7 test coverage with support for functional and performance testing, reducing the total cost of ownership by eliminating the need for separate test modules for the different layers.

Price: not provided.