FEBRUARY 5, 2009 -- EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. (search for EXFO) today announced the addition of an Ethernet-over-OTN (EoOTN) and an advanced OTN analysis test suite for the FTB-81xx Transport Blazer and Power Blazer lines of test modules.
With reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) deployments continuing to accelerate and packet optical transport network (P-OTN) technology quickly gaining momentum, today's transport networks are rapidly shifting to a ubiquitous model based on OTN technology that allows for the seamless transport of legacy and packet-based services. This shift implies new challenges for network operators as testing can no longer be centered solely on standard SONET/SDH techniques, but rather must now evolve to OTN and its underlying services, including Ethernet.
According to EXFO, the FTB-8130NG Transport Blazer and the FTB-8130NGE Power Blazer modules now offer customers the ability to test Ethernet-over-OTN (EoOTN) through the generation and mapping of 10-Gigabit Ethernet (10-GbE) LAN traffic directly into OTU1e and OTU2e payloads, allowing network operators to efficiently test next-generation carrier Ethernet core transport networks. In addition, the FTB-8120/8120NG/8120NGE and FTB-8130/8130NG/8130NGE modules, as well as the FTB-8140 module now also support the ability to analyze and manipulate OTN overhead bytes and to intrusively test OTN signals in through mode up to 43 Gbps.
With these features now available as software options on the FTB-81xx line of test modules, network operators finally have the tools needed to maintain and troubleshoot next-generation OTN networks as efficiently and accurately as legacy networks, say EXFO representatives.
The ease of use, portability, and flexibility of these modules to support either single- or multi-application testing capabilities on a single unit, combined with an architecture that ensures cross-platform interoperability on both the FTB-200 Compact Platform and the FTB-400 Universal Test System, translates into what EXFO claims is a compelling return on investment by reducing capital expenses and inventory management costs.
"EXFO has assumed a leadership position over the last few years in delivering the most advanced next-generation test solutions aimed at accelerating IP convergence and triple/quadruple-play initiatives for network operators," notes Etienne Gagnon, EXFO's vice president of product management and marketing. "We're integrating critical test features in our award-winning Power Blazer and Transport Blazer, providing our customers with simple, yet comprehensive test tools for their evolving needs. Packet optical transport network is rapidly gaining traction as network operators continue to look for ways to improve their service offering, while minimizing the incremental investment in their network," he adds, "and EXFO is the supplier of choice [upon] which they're increasingly relying."
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