Bluelight Technology intros handheld ‘all-in-one’ optical network test instrument

NOVEMBER 19, 2010 -- Bluelight Technology has announced the availability of its BlueScope BL6000A, a handheld multiprotocol network test and measurement tool. The handheld BL6000A combines Ethernet (Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet), SONET/SDH (up to 10G), Optical Transport Network (OTN; up to ODU-2F), and Fibre Channel (up to 10x) testing in a single platform.

The BL6000A user interface architecture includes a touch-screen-enabled graphical user interface (GUI) as well as an integrated keypad for data entry. The array of network types that can be analyzed with the BL6000A eliminates the need for multiple devices, reducing overall costs, saving space, and providing convenience, time savings, and flexibility for technicians in the field, Bluelight says. Open software and hardware architectures enable future expansion, the company adds.

The BL6000A includes a host of standard connections to support many different media interfaces, such as 10 Gigabit Ethernet (XFP), optical 1000Base-SX/LX/ZX, and 100 FX and copper 10/100/1000Base-T. Results and analysis are accessible via an integrated file management system that enables the saving of data such as test results, log files, screen captures, and packet captures directly to a portable memory device using the USB port. The USB port also can be used for future software changes and/or upgrades performed via an FTP connection.

While the BL6000A is designed to perform an array of network performance tests over any type of network, Bluelight considers the addition of testing for SONET/SDH networks as particularly noteworthy. The BL6000A test set can analyze SONET/SDH infrastructures for frequency offset generation, frequency power measurements, and round-trip delay measurements, among other elements. Users can also select unframed rates to perform physical layer testing for OTN (OTU-2 to OTU-2F), Fibre Channel (1x to 10x), Ethernet (Gigabit Ethernet to 10 Gigabit Ethernet), and SONET/SDH (STM-1 to STM-64/OC-3 to OC-192). SONET/SDH testing is additionally enhanced by a multichannel view capability, which allows users to view activities on as many as 48 channels simultaneously.

Technicians also can analyze Ethernet networks up to 10 Gbps for throughput on up to 32 independent streams, packet flooding, packet capture and analysis, network discovery, and auto-negotiation capture. IP application tests such as Ping, DNS, and DHCP can be run and cables can be checked for faults or irregular impedance.

“We’re very excited to offer the test and measurement industry a multiprotocol test instrument that’s as technologically advanced and simple-to-use as the BlueScope BL6000A,” said James Jeong, Bluelight Technology’s CEO and co-founder. “The fact that a field technician now only needs to carry one testing device to ensure network performance saves our clients money and makes their technicians significantly more efficient and productive.”

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