Agilent Technologies introduced a performance-analysis solution for testing Ethernet Passive Optical Networks (EPONs). The new N2X N5604A Tri-rate Ethernet EPON Test Card and dedicated software, which run on the Agilent N2X multiport test platform, can be used to generate end-to-end traffic through an EPON, and monitor both data and control protocol traffic directly on the EPON.
The solution could be used by chip vendors, network equipment manufacturers and service providers to verify the fair sharing of bandwidth on an EPON, and pinpoint the precise location and causes of congestion and service disruption.
The test system isolates the source of EPON performance issues to either the Optical Network Unit (ONU) or the Optical Line Terminal (OLT). Engineers can use the trigger, filter, capture and decode capabilities on the test system to analyze and isolate the specific causes of performance or protocol conformance issues. The test solution also inspects Ethernet OAM flows to debug vendor-specific settings. This provides fast time-to-insight because engineers don't have to waste time trying to find the source of performance problems.
The N2X EPON Performance Analysis System can perform the following functions:
- Simulate realistic triple-play services by generating subscriber and network traffic from end to end.
- Verify dynamic bandwidth algorithm behavior across the EPON by monitoring the MPCP and Ethernet OAM flows in each direction.
- Isolate performance problems to the ONU or OLT, providing faster time to insight.
- Debug vendor-specific settings of subscriber box capability settings by examining the Ethernet OAM flows directly with "on-EPON" monitor capability, a key enabler for interoperability testing.
- Exercise EPON OLT features using the Agilent N2X IPTV channel zapping and DHCP protocol emulation software.
- Measure control protocol and message timing to ensure compliance to the IEEE 802.3ah specification.
