MAY 1, 2007 -- Ixia (search for Ixia), provider of IP performance test systems, today announced the Optixia XM2, a portable test platform for executing high-performance testing of Ethernet-based network equipment.
Like its counterpart the XM12, the XM2 supports Ixia's advanced load modules to enable an array of data, signaling, voice, video, and application testing from Layers 2-7, while maintaining full backward compatibility with previous Optixia systems and software, say company representatives. Key features of the XM2 include portability, high performance, high density, and serviceability.
The XM2 provides test engineers with an individual test environment that is both high performance and easily portable. The 20-lb., 4.5-in high chassis supports up to 32 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) ports, six 10-GbE ports, or four packet-over-SONET (PoS) or ATM ports, says the company. In aggregate, it is capable of generating over 30 Gbits/sec of stateless or stateful traffic.
The test system is designed to operate in high scalability test environments; multiple XM2 and other Ixia chassis can be daisy-chained together to extend a single test environment to thousands of ports. The XM2 is fully compatible with Ixia's full range of applications, automation tools, and existing scripts for broadband access, routing and switching, and content-aware device and security testing.
"As enterprises continue down the path of network convergence, they are placing tremendous demands on the network, such as the ability to carry traffic from real-time communications and quality of service," explains Matthias Machowinski, directing analyst of Enterprise voice and data for Infonetics Research Inc. "By rigorously testing networks before full-scale deployments, organizations can make sure that convergence projects turn out as intended and the user experience doesn't suffer."
The high-performance architecture of the Optixia XM2 chassis is designed to maximize test application performance and execution speed. In addition, its high density benefits users by reducing lab space for test equipment, lowering power requirements, and simplifying management of testing resources, which contributes to lower test implementation costs, say Ixia representatives. These lower costs enable enterprise customers to perform high scalability verification prior to full service deployment.
"As the complexity of networks and services increases, the testing imperative to ensure performance and quality of experience rises as well," adds Errol Ginsberg, president and CEO of Ixia. "Fundamental to the Optixia XM design is its adherence to our core design principles--providing a single test platform for comprehensive Layer 2-7 testing and maintaining compatibility with Ixia's existing products."
Triple play and other converged multi-service networks require IP test platforms that can test different application types simultaneously to gain a true understanding of how converged networks--supporting data, video, and VoIP services--will respond in varying conditions. Ixia says its Optixia XM2 is optimized for the high-performance requirements of such multi-services testing with its high-speed backplane, testing-optimized software environment, and support for high-performance load modules that have a processor on every test port.
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