EXFO enables bidirectional testing of Ethernet services

Test and measurement vendor EXFO Inc. (NASDAQ: EXFO, TSX: EXF) has enhanced the functionality of its FTB/IQS-88100NGE Power Blazer multiservice field test suite to include bidirectional EtherSAM (Y.1564) on all 10M-to-100G Ethernet interfaces.

Adding to the modules' existing 10M-to-100G capabilities, this new functionality is available as a software update to all customers who are part of the 88100NGE Power Blazer client base, thus maximizing and protecting their existing investment, EXFO says.

While delivering larger amounts of data to a growing number of customers creates revenue opportunities for service providers, the sustainable reliability and performance of those services is a challenge. In response, EXFO's new FTB 88100NGE software supports dual test-set topology, where two units perform an asymmetrical service-level agreement (SLA) measurement and provide EtherSAM (Y.1564) results per direction on both units to quickly and accurately pinpoint problems, the company explains.

Furthermore, EXFO's FTB 88100NGE complements its bidirectional test capability with intelligent autodiscovery of remote EXFO Ethernet testers, making it no longer necessary to have an additional technician at the far end to relay critical information.

Finally, in line with today's Ethernet service requirements, the new FTB-88100NGE Power Blazer release offers Ethernet operations, administration and management (OAM) capabilities including Y.1731, 802.1ag and MEF on 10M-to-10G Ethernet rates. In addition, it extends the Ethernet advanced filtering and capture capabilities on every 10M-to-100G Ethernet rate included on the module, giving network engineers the right tools to simplify Ethernet service activation and quickly pinpoint issues in the field for quick service recovery.

"Over the past few years, EXFO has been a leading provider of high-speed multiservice testing solutions, and the extension of our 40G/100G test capabilities on the 88100NGE module continues on that trend," said Claudio Mazzuca, vice-president of EXFO's transport and service assurance division. "Because our service provider customers are under pressure to deliver their services properly and reliably to generate revenue, we are more determined than ever to provide our customers with value-added testing capabilities that optimize field testing."

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