Agilent and Mu Dynamics Publish Joint Template for Securing Networks

Agilent Technologies and Mu Dynamics have collaborated on an integrated solution that accelerates the design and automation of tests that are used to evaluate the impact of unexpected device/systems scenarios on network performance and reliability. The collaboration integrates Agilent's N2X multiservices test solution with Mu's Test Suite family. The testing emulates real-world scale and traffic in "out-of-service" lab environments, eliminating the need for operationally costly large test beds of network equipment. The companies coauthored a testing methodology that will enable shared customers to extend the integration to a wide variety of test scenarios.


The two companies' solutions complement each other by focusing on different challenges faced by both network equipment manufacturers (NEMs) and service providers (SPs). Agilent N2X validates the functional, performance and scalability characteristics of broadband networks and next-generation network equipment, such as layer 2-3 forwarding devices that deliver video, VoIP, data and VPN services. Mu Dynamic's Test Suite focuses on identifying software weaknesses and "exception" handling capabilities of network applications and devices. Mu's Test Suite modules offer QA, developer and support teams a series of dynamically malformed or mutated packets to the application or device under test (DUT) and determine which mutation negatively affects the DUT's supported services and causes anomalous behavior in control-plane protocols. By conducting a very large number of protocol-specific tests, Mu's Test Suite characterizes the network application reliability, overall robustness and security.


The real-time integration of Mu's Test Suite concurrently with Agilent's N2X makes it possible to evaluate the impact of an exception on overall network performance and service availability under load. For example, if Mu causes a device error, N2X monitors its effect on network traffic by measuring packet loss, latency and other critical parameters. The combination of Agilent and Mu technology helps NEMs and SPs mitigate the overall impact of protocol errors, day-zero attacks and hidden vulnerabilities in network equipment, and ensures uninterrupted service delivery and maximum performance under worst-case conditions.
http://www.agilent.com/find/N2Xhttp://www.mudynamics.com/resources/methods