Ixia Simplifies Testing for Emerging VPLS Services; New Automated Testing Capability Addresses the Complex Requirements of Virtual Private LAN Services Testing.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CALABASAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 9, 2004

Ixia (Nasdaq:XXIA), a leading, global provider of IP network testing solutions, announced today a new virtual private LAN services (VPLS) test suite that simplifies the setup and administration of VPLS testing for service providers and network equipment manufacturers.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) enable private corporate networks to function over public networks and extend across broad geographic regions. VPLS-based VPNs utilize a provider-managed Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network infrastructure with Ethernet as the interface to the service provider. VPLS removes the customer requirement to configure complex WAN interfaces and routers, resulting in true WAN access transparency between remote locations and the end user. However, this end-user simplicity can only be accomplished through complex and resource-intensive requirements placed upon the switches and routers composing the service provider's VPLS network.

"VPLS is becoming one of the hottest value-add services for converged IP networks. Diligent device and system testing prior to deployment is mandatory because customer expectations have been set high with respect to operational availability and ease of use," said Dean Lee, Ixia product manager. "These new tests significantly progress the ability of our customers to achieve quick and productive results."

Ixia's VPLS test suite provides an automated environment that both service providers and network equipment manufacturers can use to stress and validate VPLS devices and systems. Market adoption of VPLS will only occur if the same level of availability and robustness as other WAN technologies is achieved from the outset, which means significant pre-deployment testing and validation is mandatory. The new Ixia test suite can determine the data forwarding performance and control plane scalability of routers in VPLS networks, automating the complex setup of multiple protocols and data traffic required to test these systems. Also included are tests that analyze the Ethernet address capacity and learning rate of the router to determine system scalability. The tests can also be used with core routing devices to evaluate network signalling and control setup performance.

The automated test suite is delivered as part of Ixia's IxScriptMate application, a graphical test automation platform for testing routing, switching, Quality of Service, multicast, MPLS, and IPv6 tunnelling. IxScriptMate is written in Tcl/Tk, the industry standard test scripting language. Using IxScriptMate, customers can execute VPLS test scripts and review the results, as well as customize the scripts to meet specific test requirements.

The VPLS test suite is currently being used by several network equipment manufacturers and service providers. The suite works in conjunction with the existing VPLS emulation capabilities already available in Ixia's flagship IXIA 1600T, IXIA 400T, and IXIA 250 platforms, as well as our award winning Optixia platform for large-scale network testing. To view Ixia's current test plan for VPLS, go to: http://www.ixiacom.com/library/test_plan/tp_display.php?skey=vpls.

About Ixia

Ixia is a leading, global provider of high performance IP network testing solutions. Its highly scalable solutions generate, capture, characterize, and emulate network and application traffic, establishing definitive performance and conformance metrics of network devices or systems under test. Ixia's testing solutions are used by Network Equipment Manufacturers, Semiconductor Manufacturers, Service Providers, and large Enterprises to validate the functionality, and reliability of complex IP networks, devices, and applications. Ixia's patented Real World Traffic(TM) Suite addresses the growing need to test applications and networks prior to deployment under realistic load conditions. Ixia's analysis solutions utilize a wide range of industry-standard interfaces, including Ethernet, SONET, and ATM, and are distinguished by their performance, accuracy, reliability, and adaptability to the industry's constant evolution.

For more information, contact Ixia at 26601 W. Agoura Road, Calabasas, CA 91302; 818-871-1800, Fax: [phone]; Email: [e-mail] or visit our Web Site at http://www.ixiacom.com.

Optixia, Ixia and the Ixia logo are registered trademarks of Ixia.