Well, it’s official. Testing exclusively with best-effort traffic is dead. Today, even the simplest network implements Quality of Service (QoS). Testing with exclusively best-effort traffic used to be acceptable for numerous reasons: Simplification of testing, the experience of the end user, and the premise that more bandwidth solves all problems.

As with all industries, both the people who make the products (network equipment manufacturers) and the people who consume those products (service providers and enterprise) are becoming more sophisticated. As they have correctly deduced, bandwidth cannot solve all problems. In the end game, the winner is the one that can roll out network services first with consistently high Quality of Experience (QoE). In other words, what will prevent the end customer from calling tech support?

One of the great features of Spirent TestCenter is its ability to directly test services over structured Ethernet. This is critical to carriers because their business model is becoming increasingly dependent upon revenue from IP video.

With Spirent TestCenter, you have the ability to completely isolate the carrier Ethernet DUT, regardless of its role. Say the device under test is an MPLS P router. With Spirent TestCenter topology emulation technology, you can model routers behind routers as true objects.

Is your network ready for telecommuting?

Institutional resistance to working remotely (aka telecommuting, telework) continues to crumble. While the H1N1 virus may force the issue, it will merely be the final drop that breaches the dam. There are many drivers and corresponding benefits for the organization that adopts telecommuting.

• Energy savings. Going green saves resources (and dollars) for business and personal budgets. The company can light, heat and cool fewer square feet and power fewer computers and monitors. The workers spend less on gas for the commute. They might even be able to downsize their personal fleet, saving not only on the cost of the extra car but the associated insurance, taxes and maintenance costs.
• Minimizing disruptions to business. The long list of things that can disrupt your business by interfering with a commute range from the infrequent (natural disaster, pandemic, terrorist attack) to the regular occurrence (winter weather, traffic). Such disruptions are now completely avoidable. There is no longer any reason why the inability to commute means the inability to work.
• Increased productivity. No more extended water-cooler discussions or co-workers camping out in a neighboring cube to chat. Commute time can be replaced by work time, or time to take care of personal business that would otherwise mean time out of the office. Studies indicate that many employees tend to work more, even after hours, when the office is a few feet away instead of several miles away.
• Stealth pay raise. Supporting remote work effectively gives employees a pay raise (by eliminating significant personal expenses) without the cost of increasing salaries. In addition, the quality-of-life dividend can result in greater job satisfaction and company loyalty.

However, issues must be addressed when making the changes necessary to support the workplace of the 21st century.