Testing meets a multimedia digital tsunami

An exclusive interview with a technical leader.

By Larry Maloney, Contributing Editor -- Test & Measurement World, 8/1/2010 12:00:00 AM

Atul Bhatnagar President and CEO Ixia Calabasas, CA With more than 20 years in the computing and communications industries, Atul Bhatnagar runs Ixia's day-to-day operations and is also intimately involved with strategy and long-term business planning. Prior to joining Ixia, he led product development at a mobile-to-mobile convergence start-up, DiVitas Networks, focusing on WiFi and cellular convergence. Prior to that, he served as VP and GM of the Enterprise Data Networks Division of Nortel. Bhatnagar also held management positions at Alteon Web Systems and Hewlett-Packard. He holds an MSEE from the University of New Mexico and a BSEE from India's Birla Institute of Technology and Science. Contributing editor Larry Maloney conducted a phone interview with Atul Bhatnagar about test challenges and solutions in wired and wireless networks. Read the continuation of this interview, where Atul Bhatnagar discusses other network test technologies, including new energy efficiency solutions. Read past Viewpoint columns at www.tmworld.com/viewpoint.

Q: How would you describe the growth of IP (Internet Protocol) networks?
A: IP networks are growing significantly as a result of the convergence of wired and wireless, the rapid expansion of applications like smartphones, the rising popularity of social media, and the trend toward "always on" connectivity. In addition, data centers have increasingly adopted Ethernet and IP for virtualization and storage needs.

Q: What are the biggest test challenges arising from network expansion?
A: It is very difficult to predict what kind of traffic these rich multimedia applications will generate. I call it a "multimedia digital tsunami." First, you must scientifically simulate and characterize this traffic to design a network that delivers a quality experience for users.  In addition, you must ensure that your network architecture and testing strategy are building incrementally. That means that you must test the base network (layers 2 and 3) and data center appliances (layers 4 through 7) and address security issues through proper testing. You must also address issues that affect performance, such as jitter and latency. Finally, the industry needs to design test solutions for the coming massive upgrade in networks, as they move to 10-, 40-, and even 100-Gbps standards.

Q: What is Ixia's approach to providing test solutions for these advanced networks?
A: We've moved from being a niche company focused on IP and Ethernet, particularly testing routers and switches, to a broad-based test provider. Now, we can provide testing and simulation for layers 4 through 7, as well as security testing. And through last year's acquisition of Catapult, we are involved in wireless edge testing and simulation. Increasingly we are concerned with testing and simulation of converged wired and wireless networks, as well as converged data center solutions where we can test deep packet inspection devices, security devices, and load balancers.

Q: What distinguishes Ixia's product line from that of other test firms?
A: We have architected our solutions on three key pillars: IP, Ethernet, and 3G and 4G technology, especially LTE. On top of these are multiple applications to address the scalability, protocol, and conformance needs of our customers. Our products are based on the industry standards that are being adopted by customers, and we put great emphasis on time to market in the test solutions we provide. Many times, we are early adopters of industry standards. For example, we were the first in the world to do 100-Gigabit Ethernet implementation. Our test architecture is also highly unified so that customers can expand their testing and simulation as their business grows. We can provide a 1-Gigabit tester, a 10-Gigabit tester, a 40-Gigabit tester, or a 100-Gigabit tester in the same chassis. We have hundreds of test protocols for IP, Ethernet and 3G and 4G.

Q: Can you cite examples of significant new product introductions?
A: Even during the recession, we spent 25% of revenue on product development. The first in a series of breakthrough products was IxYukon, a high-density, 10-Gigabit Ethernet tester that packs 96 ports in a 10U rack chassis. This product supports full layer 2 through 7 functionality for testing routers and switches with network emulation and Internet applications. We also introduced our "K2" 100-Gigabit Ethernet solution. A third significant product is our Acceleron-NP load module, which gives network equipment manufactures a simulation solution for testing their equipment for the functional requirements of next-generation data centers.