Network testing must occur in a realistic environment that reproduces the complexity and scale networks will encounter when deployed.
Service providers have turned to convergence in the form of Carrier Ethernet and MPLS to support mobile and fixed-line voice and data, residential video and MPLS-based VPNs. These more complex networks require more complex testing. Discreetly validating the performance and reliability of the component protocols and functions cannot guarantee subscriber quality of experience (QoE). Network testing must occur in a realistic environment that reproduces the complexity and scale networks will encounter when deployed.
What to Test
Converged carrier network testing should address:
- Session scalability and Quality of Experience (QoE)—for sensitive applications such as voice and video
- Performance—of thousands of MPLS tunnels while handling low-priority traffic
- SLA performance—across thousands of business customers
- MPLS-tunneled—service traffic failover verification
- Conformance—to make-before-break standards
- Peer, route, adjacency and AS capacity
Spirent Solutions
Spirent network testing solutions automate processes for more efficient testing at scale:
