Agilent Technologies has supplied its N2X multiservices test solution to Fiberxon to validate Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) system performance while delivering real-world triple-play services.
The Agilent N2X N5604A Tri-rate Ethernet EPON Test Card and dedicated software was used to verify Fiberxon's EPON system performance, providing dynamic bandwidth, Multi-Point Control Protocol (MPCP) message interchange, Ethernet Operations and Administration and Maintenance (OAM) flows across EPON, as well as end-to-end system performance.
Using unique triggering and filtering capabilities, the N2X was used to isolate issues at either the Optical Network Unit (ONU) or the Optical Line Terminal (OLT). N2X was also configured to emulate end-to-end triple-play services while simultaneously measuring the QoS.
Key capabilities of Agilent's N2X EPON Solution include 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.
