Ixia adds GFP testing to Packet-over-SONET module
March 25, 2004 Calabasas, CA -- Ixia has added support for Generic Framing Procedure (GFP) to its OC-48c Packet-over-SONET (PoS) interface test module. The new feature targets the testing of Metro Ethernet devices and services by generating and analyzing wire-speed Ethernet over SONET traffic for verification of transport networking equipment, multi-service provisioning platforms (MSPPs), and edge routers.
GFP is the ITU-T G.7041 standard, which defines a set of methods for framing different Layer 1 and Layer 2 data traffic types--including Ethernet, PPP, IP, Fibre Channel, ESCON, and DVB--into a common structure for transport over SONET networks. The protocol is used in deploying metro Ethernet services and bridging customer-facing Ethernet connections with the carrier-facing SONET network.
"In contrast to typical GFP testing solutions, which are focused on Layer 1 transport testing, Ixia's solution enables full manipulation of the Ethernet or PPP frame and is capable of analysis at Layers 2 and 3 while replicating customer traffic on the network," explains Ali Safari, product manager of Ixia's SONET line. "This enables previously impossible end-to-end GFP testing of Ethernet and IP-aware devices."
Ixia's GFP option generates wire-speed Ethernet or PPP traffic, frame-maps the Ethernet or PPP traffic into GFP, and transports the GFP frames over an OC-48c PoS interface. Statistics provide monitoring of GFP-specific functions, while trigger and filter functions enable capture and analysis of GFP frames.
The PoS module with GFP option will be available in 60 days.