Next Generation Ethernet Test Cards - Ixia

Agilent N2XNext-GenerationEthernet Interfaces10/100/1000BASE-T and 1000BASE-X (SFP)XP-2, XR-2 and XS-2 Test CardsN5550B, N5551B, N5552B, N5553B, N5630BTechnical Data SheetNext generation Ethernet test cards designedto increase scalability and reduce test costwith its high port density and new CPU perport architecture that enables multiple users toshare ports on a card.

Next Generation Ethernet Test CardKey Features• Flexible hardware to match yourtest needs• Industry's highest protocolperformance• Industry's highest protocolscalability• Full control over all trafficgeneration parameters• Comprehensive API & Open-Libraryof Automated Test ScriptsProduct OverviewThe Agilent N2X is the industry’smost comprehensive test solutionfor testing the development anddeployment of network services forconverging network infrastructures.Service providers, networkequipment manufacturers (NEMs),and component manufacturerscan verify service attributes ofentire networks end-to-end, whilealso isolating problems down toindividual networking devices andsubsystems. Agilent N2X deliversunparalleled test realism to verify theultimate performance, scalability andresilience of carrier grade services andinfrastructure.The Agilent N2X Next GenerationEthernet Test Cards are availablewith 10/100/1000 BASE T and 1000BASE-X interfaces including dual modeRJ-45/SFP. In conjunction with N2XPackets & Protocols Application theyprovide multi-port traffic generation,scalable protocol emulation andunprecedented performance analysisof today’s Ethernet networks anddevices. From wire-speed trafficgeneration and analysis to fullemulation of Internet-scale routingtopologies using the latest protocolsand technologies, Agilent provides themost flexible, comprehensive and easyto use system available today.These next generation Ethernettest cards are designed to increasetest coverage and reduce test cost.Each port has a dedicated CPU andRAM – no sharing of CPUs and nocompromise in performance. Nextgeneration Ethernet Test Cards supportan individual user per port. Multipleusers can concurrently utilize theirown test port maximizing the use oftest equipment and return on yearinvestment.The foundation of all N2X test cardsis a powerful yet flexible trafficgeneration engine capable of verifyingeverything from L2 Ethernet Switchesthrough to multi-chassis carrier classrouting nodes and networks. The realtime traffic generator with multi-profiletraffic scheduler and thousands ofstreams, programmable field modifiersand industry leading test payloadprovides unparalleled test realism andflexibility to ensure you can generatethe traffic to meet any test scenario.Combined with comprehensive, realtimelayer 1 through to 4 transmit andreceive statistics and graphs includingpacket loss, latency and misorderingN2X is able to verify the data-planefunctionality, performance andscalability of your device or network.Agilent N2X’s traffic generator andreceiver capabilities are tightly coupledwith powerful protocol emulationhardware on all XR-2 and XS-2 testcards. This integration will ensure yourdevices are tested under the mostrealistic environment possible andremove the need to manually configuretraffic addresses when completingperformance measurements. N2Xprovides emulation of the most popularrouting protocols, including BGP, OSPF,ISIS and RIP and the latest MPLSprotocols, including RSVP-TE, LDP/CR-LDP, L2oMPLS (Martini), and VPLS.Multicast protocols can be verifiedeasily with our IGMP and PIM-SMprotocol emulations. Access networksand devices can be tested with PPPoXand DHCP protocols.All N2X next generation Ethernettest cards provide the data capturememory required to enable detailedanalysis from a single test session.N2X allows users to set a range oftriggers including a specific eventthreshold as a ‘trigger’ to initiate orhalt capture. Combined with powerfulcapture analysis software, users canquickly isolate, analyze and debugperformance issues.2

Next Generation Ethernet Test CardAgilent N2X test cards offer superiortest flexibility and investmentprotection. Built upon powerfulprogrammable logic technologytest functionality can be continuallyadapted to ever-changing standardsand evolving technologies.Flexible Hardware options to meetyour test needsAlong with flexibility in interfacetypes, N2X next generation Ethernettest cards are available in three keyperformance variants designed tomatch your specific test needs:• XP-2 – offered as a four port onlycard, this cost effective packetgeneration and analysis test cardprovides users with full accessto N2X’s easy to use Packetsapplication. It’s unique PDU builderand flexible packet generatorlets you manipulate and definethe contents of all protocol fieldsquickly and easily. Large numbersof streams and the industries mostcomprehensive test payload enablesusers to simulate realistic trafficmixes and accurately verify theforwarding performance and QoScapabilities of your system undertest.• XR-2 – offered in both 2 and fourport variants, this card offersseamless integration of traffic andprotocol testing for realistic testingof Internet routers and switches.Combined with the N2X Packetsand Protocols application thesecards validate leading-edge servicessuch as Multicast VPNs and IPTVon network devices. It can emulatemultiple protocols simultaneously,creating sophisticated networktopologies required to verify thatthe device can concurrently managenumerous protocol engines androuting tables while continuouslyforwarding traffic.• XS-2 – offered as a 2 port onlyvariant, this test card provides theprotocol scalability and performanceneeded to test the highestperforming Internet routers andswitches. It sets a new benchmarkfor protocol scalability andperformance testing with the abilityto emulate the largest multi-protocoltopologies of any test equipment onthe market.2 Port 4 PortXP-2 N/A N5553B -10/100/1000 BASE-T,1000 BASE-X (SFP)XR-2 N5552B -10/100/1000 BASE-T,1000 BASE-X (SFP)N5550B -10/100 BASE-TN5551B -10/100/1000 BASE-T,1000 BASE-X (SFP)XS-2N5630B -10/100/1000 BASE-T,1000 BASE-X (SFP)Figure 1 : Next generation Ethernet available hardware combinationsN/A3

Next Generation Ethernet Test CardIndustry’s Highest ProtocolPerformanceA high performance CPU with on-boardcache enables the industry’s fastestprotocol engine.When testing high performancerouters, a key measurement is todetermine the convergence time. Arouter has “converged” when it haslearned all routes from its peers.The XS-2 next generation Ethernettest card is the only card thatavailable today that can determinethe convergence time of routers byadvertising routes faster than anyother test equipment.Industry’s Highest ProtocolScalability1 GB of RAM per port enables theindustry’s highest protocol scalability.A key measurement is to determinethe number of routing peers that arouter can support. For example, Layer3 VPNs require each core and edgerouter to support a BGP-4 session.Any router must support thousands ofBGP-4 peering sessions.The XS-2 next generation Ethernettest card is the only card that availabletoday that can practically measurethe absolute scalability of routers.Multiple XS-2 test cards can be addedinto a single test system, to increasethe scalability of the entire system– the possibilities for scalability testingare nearly endless.For scalability testing, the N5630B issignificantly more economical thanbuying multiple test cards. Taking thecost of test interfaces and router portsinto account, the N5630B halves thecost of test by concentrating moreprocessing power on a single card.Full Control over ALL TrafficGeneration ParametersAgilent N2X’s innovative “flexiblePDU builder” technology delivers themost advanced solution for trafficgeneration and analysis available. Anytype of data-plane frame or packetcan be generated, including customformats. Users can manipulate anddefine the contents of all protocolfields quickly and easily. You nolonger have to wait for industrystandards, or write unique test scriptsto test new and proprietary protocolencapsulations.Comprehensive API & Open-Library ofAutomated Test ScriptsN2X’s automated QuickTests, basedon Agilent’s Journal of Internet TestMethodologies, make it easy toperform even the most complex tests.N2X’s powerful API makes it easyto customize scripts to match yourspecific test needs.In addition, proprietary scripts canbe created using the Tcl/Tk scriptingenvironment. With only a few lines ofcode, powerful test scenarios can beexecuted with precision.Configuration andOrdering DetailsEthernet test card variants• N5550B : 4-port 10/100 BASE-T XR-2Test Card.• N5551B : 4-port 10/100/1000 BASE-T 1000BASE-X (SFP) Ethernet XR-2Test Card.• N5630B : 2-port 10/100/1000 BASE-T 1000BASE-X (SFP) Ethernet XS-2Test Card.Discontinued ethernet test cardvariants• N5552B : 2-port 10/100/1000BASE-T 1000BASE-X (SFP) EthernetXR-2 Test Card. (This product isdiscontinued)• N5553B : 4-port 10/100/1000BASE-T 1000BASE-X (SFP) EthernetXP-2 Test Card. (This product isdiscontinued)Pluggable SFP optics options• Option 001: Include one - 1000BaseSX SFP (850nm)• Option 002: Include one - 1000BaseLX SFP (1310nm)• Option 003: Include one - 1000BaseZX SFP (1550nm)• Not applicable for N5550B.Software CompatibilityThe E7880B Packets License enablesthe traffic generation and analysisfeatures on the XP-2, XR-2 & XS-2test cards. XR-2 and XS-2 cards cantake advantage the multi-protocolemulation environment plus integratedtraffic & routing features availablein the E7881B Packets & Protocolslicense.The N5550B, N5551B, N5552B,N5553B and N5630B test cards requireversion N2X Packets and ProtocolsRelease 6.8 or later.4

Next Generation Ethernet Test CardTechnical SpecificationsPhysical layer specificationsConnectivityPort Density &connection typeConnection Type• N5550B: 4 - 10/100 RJ-45 electricalEthernet ports• N5551B: 4 - 10/100/1000 RJ-45 electricaland SFP Ethernet ports• N5552B: 2 - 10/100/1000 RJ-45 electricaland SFP Ethernet ports• N5553B: 4 - 10/100/1000 RJ-45 electricaland SFP Ethernet ports• N5630B 2 – 10/100/1000 RJ-45 electricaland SFP Ethernet ports•••Interface Operation ModesTerminalTransmit loop-backMonitorTransmit Clock SourcesClock sourceFront Panel IndicatorsEthernet Indicators(for each optical andelectrical interface)Supports SFP (SFF-8074i v1.0)RJ-45 (tri-rate)Auto-detect of MDI/MDI-X and autoconfigure• Normal operation – transmit and receiveinterfaces operate independently• Transmitted data is electrically looped backto the receive interface. The optical receiveinterface is disabled in this mode.(SFP interface only)• Received data is looped back to thetransmit interface. Received data is alsocopied into the test port where all realtime Rx measurements are made. Captureand subsequent analysis are also fullyfunctional in this mode (SFP interface only)• Internally generated based on chassissystem reference• Link: Green - Ethernet framing is detectedon the receive interface and link has beenestablished with a link partner.• Activity: Green - Data is transmitted orreceivedAlarms and ErrorsReal-Time AlarmDetection• Current module status is indicated on theuser interface and front panel LEDs• Alarm events are reported in a trace logduring the measurement interval• Number of errored seconds is reported peralarm type (count of 1s intervals in whichthe alarm is detected at least once)Error monitoring • For the selected Ethernet statistics thefollowing parameters are recorded:– Number of individual occurrences ofthe event– Number of seconds during which atleast one event occurred• Statistics are User selectable, dependanton the application. These may include, butare not limited to, the following: Framestransmitted, Valid frames received, Octetstransmitted, Octets received, Runts, Shortevents, Jumbo frames, Jabbers, FCSerrored frames, ARP frames, Flow controlframes, VLAN tagged frames.Link layer specificationsAuto-negotiationThe Test Card supports auto-negotiation. This may be disabledindependently on each port.PAUSE FramesThe Test Card can generate, count and respond to PAUSE frames.Measurement SystemMeasurements are synchronized across all cards within the test system.Result types• Cumulative:– Measurements are reported from thestart of the measurement interval• Sampled:– Measurements are reported from themost recently completed samplinginterval• Measurement Interval– 1 second to 7 days• Sampling Interval– 1 second to 1 hour• Measurement clock:– 20 ns resolution +/-0.5 ppm/year clockdrift• 3 ppm max. difference between systems5

Next Generation Ethernet Test CardReal-time StatisticsUnless otherwise specified all statistics are on a per port basis.GlossaryShort eventRuntLong frameJumbo frameJabber framePattern MatchPPIC (Packet PayloadIntegrity Check).General StatisticsPer Port StatsPer Stream Stats.Per Stream & PortStats.EthernetVLANMPLSIPv4• A sequence of bytes of insufficient lengthto form a valid Ethernet frame (

Next Generation Ethernet Test CardMechanical SpecificationsPhysicalElectricalEnvironmental••••Width 206 mmDepth 313 mmHeight 31.0 mmWeight 1.5 kg• Power consumption 50WOperating temperature • 5 °C to 40 °CStorage temperature • -40 °C to 70 °CApplication Programming InterfaceAn Application Programming Interface (API) is provided throughthe Tool command Language (Tcl). The API is intended to automateconfiguration tasks, create repeatable test sequences, or to integratethe test system into a larger test system. The scripting language isTcl/Tk. Tcl/Tk comes bundled with the E7880A Traffic Generation andAnalysis software.An API client may run directly on the N2X System Controller, or mayrun on any other PC or UNIX workstation connected to the SystemController via a TCP/IP connection. API clients communicate withthe System Controller via an included package of Tcl commands. Allfunctions available through the GUI are available via the API. Anychanges made through the API are automatically reflected on the GUI.Maximum RelativeHumidity• Maximum relative humidity 80% fortemperatures up to 31 °C, decreasinglineally to 50% relative humidity at 40 °C(non-condensing).DiscontinuedThe following products have been discontinued.• N5552B : 2-port 10/100/1000 BASE-T 1000BASE-X (SFP) EthernetXR-2 Test Card• N5553B : 4-port 10/100/1000 BASE-T 1000BASE-X (SFP) EthernetXP-2 Test CardRegulatory ComplianceElectrical(ElectromagneticCompliance - EMC)Electrical (Safety)Optical (Safety)• As per IEC 61326-1:1997 + A1:1998 / EN61326-1:1997 + A1:1998Electrical equipment for measurement, controland laboratory use (Class A)• EMC Directive 89/336/EEC (including93/68/EEC)• For complete compliance information referto Declaration of Conformity E7900-91300(Tested for regulatory compliance withAgilent Technologies SFPs)• Safety requirements for electricalequipment for measurement, control, andlaboratory use• Low voltage directive 73/23/EEC• Complies with IEC 60825 Class 1, and CDRH21 CFR 1040 - Class I Laser Products whenequipped with Agilent supplied SFP opticaltransceivers7

www.agilent.com/find/n2xAgilent N2XAgilent’s N2X multi-service tester combines leadingedgeservices with carrier grade infrastructure testingand emulation. The N2X solution set allows networkequipment manufacturers and service providers tomore comprehensively test new services end-to-end,resulting in higher quality of service and lower networkoperating costs.Software and SupportAgreementTo protect your investment in the Agilent N2X, everynew system includes an initial 12-month comprehensivesystem-based warranty and Software and SupportAgreement (SSA).Renewing Agilent support services ensures uninterruptedtechnical support and software upgrades, givingyou confidence in N2X throughout the life of yoursystem.The N2X technical support portion of your SSAincludes assistance with product operation and measurements,and verification that the N2X equipment isin correct working order.Warranty and SupportHardware WarrantyAll N2X hardware is warranted against defects inmaterials and workmanship for a period of 1 year fromthe date of shipment.Software WarrantyAll N2X software is warranted for a period of 90 days.The applications are warranted to execute and installproperly from the media provided.This warranty only covers physical defects in themedia, whereby the media is replaced at no chargeduring the warranty period.Ordering InformationTo order and configure the test system, consult yourlocal Agilent field engineer.Sales, Service and SupportN2X must be serviced by an approvedAgilent Technologies service centre,please contact us for more information.United States:Agilent TechnologiesTest and Measurement Call CenterP.O. Box 4026Englewood, CO 80155-40261-800-829-4444Canada:Agilent Technologies Canada Inc.2660 Matheson Blvd. EMississauga, OntarioL4W 5M21-877-894-4414Europe:Agilent TechnologiesEuropean Marketing OrganisationP.O. Box 9991180 AZ AmstelveenThe Netherlands(31 20) 547-2323United Kingdom07004 666666Japan:Agilent Technologies Japan Ltd.Measurement Assistance Center9-1, Takakura-Cho, Hachioji-Shi,Tokyo 192-8510, JapanTel: (81) 426-56-7832Fax: (81) 426-56-7840Latin America:Agilent TechnologiesLatin American Region Headquarters5200 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite #950Miami, Florida 33126U.S.A.Tel: (305) 269-7500Fax: (305) 267-4286Asia Pacific:Agilent Technologies19/F, Cityplaza One, 1111 King’s Road,Taikoo Shing, Hong Kong, SARTel: (852) 3197-7777Fax: (852) 2506-9233Australia/New Zealand:Agilent Technologies Australia Pty Ltd347 Burwood HighwayForest Hill, Victoria 3131Tel: 1-800-629-485 (Australia)Fax: (61-3) 9272-0749Tel: 0-800-738-378 (New Zealand)Fax: (64-4) 802-6881This information is subject to change without notice.Printed on recycled paper© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2009Printed in USA August 12, 20095989-4586EN