AUGUST 31, 2006 -- Spirent Communications (search Spirent Communications) today announced the opening of what it claims is a groundbreaking Test Automation Lab. The lab is designed to demonstrate a tenfold productivity improvement that can be achieved by employing a comprehensive test automation model developed by Spirent.
"Service providers and equipment manufacturers are facing increasing pressure to quickly and cost effectively bring next-generation networks and services to market," explains Olga Yashkova, test & measurement analyst at Frost & Sullivan. "Increased test automation and streamlined lab management are critical for reduced test time and to ensure that products and services are delivered right the first time."
The Spirent Test Automation Lab is a proof-of-concept lab that demonstrates how service providers and network equipment manufacturers can accomplish more testing in less time with fewer resources. The test automation model enables engineering teams to reduce the amount of dedicated person-hours necessary for testing and facilitate the accelerated introduction of service offerings. This result is achieved by combining lab and test management tools, physical infrastructure remote management, a factory of test cases, and integration expertise to create a complete lab automation solution.
"Spirent Test Automation Lab is an industry first that brings together key components necessary to streamline test lab procedures while providing increased productivity," explains Neil Anderson, vice president, global services, Spirent Communications. "The result is a unique environment where service providers and network equipment manufacturers are able to more quickly and confidently launch new products and services."
Using automated methodologies, real-world scenarios are created in the lab to validate end-user devices, network equipment, and applications. Complex tests can be performed repeatedly using fully automated hardware configurations. This helps deliver consistent results, quickly isolate problems, and ensure a successful product or service launch. The lab supports local, distributed, or fully automated remote control and can be configured, via the Internet, to run any time from any location around the world.
The Spirent Test Automation Lab is supported by test and lab management software from Lumenaré Networks and remote infrastructure connectivity and out-of-band control management systems from MRV Communications.
Lumenaré Networks provides a fully integrated test automation solution and supports reusability of test procedures through the full life cycle, from development to manufacturing. According to the company, it has the industry's first solution to provide proven ROI from automation at the device level, lab level, and corporate business level.
The MRV Media Cross Connect provides the connectivity, supporting a range of network protocols, ranging from low-speed to 10 Gigabit Ethernet and 4 Gigabit Fibre Channel devices. MRV's management system--based on its LX 4000T console server-- empowers the Spirent Test Automation Lab with complete, secure out-of-band control of hardware.
The lab allows for a variety of functions to be addressed such as test lab inventory control, configuration management, scheduling, test planning, test execution, and reporting, say Spirent representatives. Users can test the scalability, performance, interoperability, and quality for voice and video over IP prior to deployment. It also is possible to simulate user behavior, network conditions, and large web and application infrastructures, eliminating the need for expensive test systems. The lab also simplifies and accelerates the testing process by centralizing functional and performance testing to generate control and data plane traffic through a single device and collect test results.
Visit Spirent Communications
Learn more about the test and measurement industry at Lightwave's Test & Measurement Resource Center.