TRADE NEWS: Agilent Technologies and Net-O2 Collaborate to Accelerate the Industry Adoption of Carrier Ethernet.

New N2X Conformance Test Suites Expand the Multiservices Test Solution for Carrier Ethernet Aggregation

SANTA CLARA, Calif., & CHENNAI, India -- Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today announced an expanded Carrier Ethernet conformance test portfolio on its N2X multiservices test solution, part of a collaboration with Net-O2 Technologies Inc. Agilent's N2X now allows network equipment manufacturers and service providers to comprehensively validate Carrier Ethernet aggregation networks, which are essential to the delivery of triple play services.

Net-O2's ATTEST Layer 2 conformance test technology has been integrated into Agilent's N2X platform. This combines the comprehensive ATTEST protocol test cases with the productivity benefits of the N2X conformance test manager, laying the foundation for the rapid introduction of future test suites and applications.

"Customers now have access to a complete range of quality conformance testing solutions from established vendors they know and trust," said David Charlu, president and chief technical officer of Net-O2 Technologies. "The collaboration with Agilent allows both companies to leverage their respective strengths to benefit customers, and we look forward to the enabling possibilities for more innovative and flexible testing solutions that this association can bring."

The demand for real-time voice and video services that meet quality-of-experience expectations, combined with the drive to reduce operator costs, are generating a new breed of Carrier Ethernet aggregation devices. To optimize bandwidth allocation, packet delivery and fault recovery, equipment manufacturers and service providers must ensure these devices correctly implement the latest revisions of key Carrier Ethernet protocols like Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) and the Spanning Tree Protocols (RSTP, MSTP).

Conformance testing is a critical process to ensure protocol robustness and equipment interoperability. Agilent's new layer-2 conformance test suites offer an independent validation tool comprising more than 450 individual test cases. Purchasing these suites can save hundreds of hours of script development otherwise needed to verify correct protocol operation.

The industry-leading N2X conformance test manager increases engineering productivity by accelerating resolution of test case errors through unique interactive test configuration and analysis capabilities. The device under test (DUT) can be automatically controlled to reduce test setup time and fully automate test execution, making N2X ideal for integration into a regression test environment.

The N2X layer-2 conformance test suites include the N5712A Spanning Tree Protocol, N5713A Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol, N5714A Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol and N5715A Link Aggregation Control Protocol.

"Triple play services can be delivered over a variety of Carrier Ethernet infrastructure technologies, such as switched Ethernet, IP/MPLS and E-PON," said Siegfried Gross, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Digital Verification Solutions Division. "These new conformance test suites make Agilent's portfolio the most comprehensive for testing Carrier Ethernet services and infrastructure by complementing the existing VPLS, high availability, E-PON, IPTV and MEF test capabilities of the N2X multiservices test solution."

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The Agilent N2X multiservice test solution is available at a starting price of $28,000. The price for the N2X bundle including a basic layer-2 STP conformance test suite and the Packets Application software starts at $40,000. More information is available at www.agilent.com/find/n2x.

Product photos are available at www.agilent.com/find/N2X_image.

About Net-O2

Net-O2 is an innovative communications testing company that enables its customers to dramatically reduce the time required to test and enhance time-to-market. Net-O2 offers a wide range of automated test suites to address IP Protocols, Layer 2 Protocols and related standards. Information about Net-O2 is available at www.net-o2.com.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 20,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $5.1 billion in fiscal 2005. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

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