Operators require a testing platform that can meet unprecedented performance and scalability demands.

Bandwidth-intensive applications are driving 40/100G Ethernet to the network edge. But at these speeds it is difficult to assure the accuracy of even basic tests such as Layer 2 performance benchmarking. Furthermore, 40/100G Ethernet testing should emphasize QoS/CoS, realism, stacked protocols and multiplay services.

Operators require a testing platform that can meet the unprecedented demands required to validate routing performance and scalability, and additional encapsulation layers.

What to Test

40/100G Ethernet testing must address:

• Layer 1 functionality to verify that implementations address lane swapping and inter-lane skew to specified tolerances
• Layer 2 performance via standards-based benchmarking (RFC 2544, RFC 2889, RFC 3918) to find the performance thresholds of throughput, frame loss, latency and congestion control
• Layer 3 to verify route capacity, failover and reroute performance, MPLS encapsulation, tunneling and security
• IPv6 to validate conformance to the standards, functionality, interoperation with IPv4 networks, throughput, and routing performance and scalability

Spirent Solutions

Spirent 40/100G Ethernet test solutions overcome the challenges of validating performance at such speeds:

• Spirent TestCenter test platform supports testing at bit rates from 10 Mbps to 100 Gbps and beyond. The system clock has a resolution of 2.5 ns, more than twice as fast as required to support Ethernet at 100 Gbps. All ports can be synchronized to provide the accuracy required to evaluate the performance and QoE of services delivered over 40/100G Ethernet.
• Enterprise OnDEMAND On-Site Performance Testing detects and mitigates problems before a new infrastructure launch
• Support Services ensure that system technology is always current and operating at maximum performance

• Spirent TestCenterExperience the Difference Spirent TestCenter makes to your development cycles
• Professional Services - Enterprise OnDEMAND On-Site Performance TestingSpirent OnDEMAND is a suite of performance test services designed to detect and mitigate these problems before you launch any new infrastructure or IT solution.
• Support ServicesSupport Services Overview for Wireless, Networks & Applications, Positioning Technology and Service Assurance

• 100G Ethernet: The Speed of NowThis white paper looks at the challenges of testing IPv6 and 100G Ethernet. It includes an overview of best-practices test methodologies for both IPv6 and 100G Ethernet.
• The Emerging 100GE Network EraWhite Paper prepared by Stan Hubbard, Sr. Analyst, Heaving Reading as part of the Light Reading/Heavy Reading 100GE Initiative
• The Risk of Inadequate Network TestingIn many organizations, testing the network infrastructure is at best neglected and at worst completely overlooked. This situation persists despite the serious implications to productivity, profitability, liability, and even reputation.
• 40G/100G TestingThis white paper explores ways in which you can improve ROI and TCO for your test systems, including 40/100G capabilities, while reducing development costs and improving time-to-revenue.
• The Big Data RevolutionBig data has emerged as one of the most visible topics in technology today. As with other trends such as mobile, social and cloud computing, big data represents both business opportunities and technical challenges.
• Spirent Journal of IEEE 802.3ba 40/100 Gbps Ethernet PASS Test MethodologiesThis Spirent Catalog of Test Methodologies represents an element of the Spirent test ecosystem that helps answer the most critical Performance, Availability, Security and Scale Tests (PASS) test cases.

Putting 40/100GbE to the Test
Presentation material of Light Reading Webinar of Spirent and 3Com covering 40/100 technology and testing challenges.

Why Testing Matters
Presentation material of Light Reading Webinar of Spirent and Network Test on testing Data Centers.

• Life After 40G: Testing in a 100G Ethernet worldExploring the challenges faced in delivering faster, better and higher quality content over high speed Ethernet
• Tested with Spirent: Top-of-Rack TestingInterview of David Newman, President of Network Test, on top-of-rack test.
• Interview with Philippe Michelet, 3ComInterview with Philippe Michelet, Senior Product Manager, Com.
• Tested with Spirent: Alcatel-Lucent's FP3 400G SiliconRoss Cassan goes on site with Alcatel-Lucent’s Sr. Director, Houman Modarres to discuss their new 400 Gbps network processor, the FP3.