Spirent Communications Introduces Layer 1-7 Testing On a Single Platform; An Industry First for Testing From DWDM and SONET Up Through the Routing Stack and Beyond.

Business Editors and High Tech Writers

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 25, 2000

Spirent Communications, the world leader in performance analysis solutions, introduces Layer 1 optical network testing for its flagship Adtech AX/4000 OC-192c Packet over SONET Test Solution. Based on the award-winning Adtech AX/4000 platform, the new Layer 1 testing functionality will allow powerful transmission performance analysis of optical cross-connects, optical switches, ADMs and DWDM systems as well as traditional routers and switches. Layer 1-7 testing with Spirent Communications' Adtech AX/4000 Broadband Test System provides the world's leading providers of optical networking and routing equipment true carrier-class reliability, scalability and performance over the Internet and IP networks.

According to a study by Frost & Sullivan, there is growing need in the broadband and next generation network industries for integrating physical layer testing with other higher layers in the network. This assumes greater importance with increasing network speeds, such as OC-192c, and in the wake of proposed technologies that will attempt to reduce framing overheads between the physical stack and other high level layers in future systems.

"With an increasing level of convergence between layers and resulting inter-layer dependence, it is our opinion that Layer 1 testing cannot remain divorced from higher layers testing for long, and that a new market is in the offing here," said Shekar Gopalan, Director of Consulting, Frost & Sullivan. "Spirent Communication's Layer 1 optical network test capability for its Adtech AX/4000 Broadband Test System fills a critical void in the area of integrated test platforms. As the first one to offer this capability, Spirent has the ability to build a leadership position in this market space by offering a one-stop shop for integrated Layer 1 to Layer 7 testing.

Recent advances in technology are providing for a tighter coupling between the optical domain and the routing domain. New emerging standards, such as MPLambdaS, allow optical bandwidth allocation based on IP differentiated traffic flows, as well as multiple technology support. It is no longer sufficient for optical manufacturers to test solely at Layer 1 and switch/ router manufacturers to test solely at Layers 3 and 4.

"Combined with the Adtech AX/4000's ATM, IP and SONET testing capabilities, Layer 1 optical testing from Spirent Communications will help drive the transition from SONET ring to new optical mesh network architectures," said Tareq Hoque, president of Adtech Systems. "As a result, service providers can provision services more quickly and efficiently and deliver more complex differentiated broadband services to customers at a fraction of the time and cost."

Optical routing functionality is converging, therefore developers of these systems must evaluate the performance and conformance of their systems at all layers of the stack. The Adtech AX/4000 Broadband Test System is the only system on the market to provide these kind of testing capabilities on a single, integrated platform.

"This product provides the first industry solution for testing from SONET up through the routing stack and beyond," Hoque said. "A single platform that addresses Layer 1 through Layer 7 of the OSI stack at these high speeds is absolutely essential for the manufacturers and service providers which want to develop and deploy the foundation for the Next Generation Network."

Initially, the product will be available with Spirent's existing OC-192 platform and available as a mode on the AX/4000's POS GUI. This low cost, high density system features OC-192c testing as well as the first simultaneous test of up to 4 OC-48 or 16 OC-12 subchannels using a range of PRBS patterns, auto detected pattern type, Bit Error Rate, and an array of SONET test features.

Availability

The optical testing capability is a new feature of the Adtech AX/4000 OC-192c platform and will be available Q4 2000.

About Spirent Communications

Spirent Communications is the world leader in performance analysis solutions. The company designs and manufactures Abacus, Adtech, DLS, GSS, Metrohm, SmartBits, and TAS products to provide customers with a full-breadth of comprehensive and integrated performance analysis test solutions. Spirent Communications' solutions accelerate development and minimize the risk of deployment of new communications technologies.

Spirent Communications' award winning hardware and software applications are used by more than 2,500 of the world's leading network and terminal equipment manufacturers, network service providers, corporate enterprises and test laboratories to verify and measure the performance and services of networks and communications devices.

For more information on Spirent Communications or its products, visit the web site at www.spirentcom.com or call 1.800.927.2660.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, which is headquartered in San Jose, CA, is a global leader in international strategic market consulting and training. Frost & Sullivan's industry experts monitor the Test & Measurement industry for market trends, market measurements, and strategies. For more information on Frost & Sullivan or its products and services, visit the website at www.frost.com or call 408/392-2000.