Ixia (Nasdaq:XXIA) announced a comprehensive performance analysis and traffic generation platform for verification of Cisco System's Spatial Reuse Protocol (SRP). SRP is used to build resilient packet ring (RPR) networks for next-generation native IP over Optical metro and intra-point-of- presence (intra-POP) solutions.
Ixia's performance analysis solution for SRP is implemented via its OC-48c Packet Over SONET interface Load Module (LMOC48). The LMOC48 captures and analyzes control messages that are exchanged between nodes on an SRP ring. These messages are used to communicate the health, topology and congestion status of the ring to network administrators.
Ixia's product architecture, featuring extremely high port density and wire-speed performance, enables SRP modules to be inserted directly into a ring as a pass-through device without the need for additional hardware. As a result, network equipment manufacturers and service providers will benefit from a more cost-effective and easier-to-implement means of developing, testing and deploying SRP-based solutions. Additionally, since Ixia's comprehensive solution requires less hardware, there are fewer potential points of failure.
SRP is a Cisco-developed MAC-layer protocol that enables IP routers to be connected directly to the optical ring topologies typically found in metro areas. By combining the intelligence of IP routing with the bandwidth efficiencies of optical rings, SRP allows service providers to offer their customers new, value-added IP-based services such as Voice over IP or Virtual Private Networks through the metro gateway. And because interconnecting routers directly to fiber instead of to legacy SONET equipment reduces network layers, SRP also cuts down on overhead costs and time to market.
SRP is incorporated into the offerings from multiple systems, software, silicon and test equipment vendors, including Cisco's Dynamic Packet Transport, or DPT, product family. DPT is the resilient packet ring market leader, deployed in more than 150 customer networks, with nearly 10,000 ports shipped.
Cisco has submitted SRP, which is based on IETF informational RFC 2892 and is available license-free, to the IEEE 802.17 Resilient Packet Ring (RPR) Working Group for consideration as the industry standard.
About Ixia:
Ixia (Nasdaq:XXIA) delivers distributed multiport traffic generators and performance analyzers for wire-speed testing and verification of advanced optical networking equipment, LAN and WAN multilayer switches, and cable television Internet products, utilizing Packet Over SONET, Gigabit Ethernet over copper and fiber, 10/100 Mbps Ethernet and USB interfaces. For more information, visit www.ixiacom.com.