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TRADE NEWS: Agilent Technologies N2X Multiservices Test Solution First to Offer Complete EPON Performance Analysis; Solution Provides Rapid Time-to-Insight, Accelerating Triple-Play EPON Deployment

Posted on: Monday, 24 October 2005, 12:00 CDT

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today announced the industry's first complete performance-analysis solution for testing Ethernet Passive Optical Networks (EPONs). The Agilent N2X EPON Performance Analysis Solution is designed to validate and debug EPON implementations and to quickly bring EPON services into operation. The Agilent N2X is the only multiport traffic solution that includes native EPON specific test capabilities.

Video-on-demand and other "triple-play" services of video, voice and data require the provision of high-bandwidth residential services directly to consumers. Passive optical networks are the next step beyond DSL and cable modems, delivering very high-speed services to consumers over an all-optical access network. Chip vendors, network equipment manufacturers and service providers must verify the fair sharing of bandwidth on an EPON, and pinpoint the precise location and causes of congestion and service disruption.

To quickly solve these problems, the new N2X N5604A Tri-rate Ethernet EPON Test Card and dedicated software have been introduced, enabling the Agilent N2X EPON Performance Analysis Solution to generate realistic end-to-end traffic through an EPON, and monitor both data and control protocol traffic directly on the EPON. The test system isolates the source of EPON performance issues to either the Optical Network Unit (ONU) or the Optical Line Terminal (OLT). Engineers can use the trigger, filter, capture and decode capabilities on the test system to analyze and isolate the specific causes of performance or protocol conformance issues. The test solution also inspects Ethernet OAM flows to debug vendor-specific settings. This provides fast time-to-insight because engineers don't have to waste time trying to find the source of performance problems.

"The addition of native EPON test capability to the industry-leading N2X solution provides customers with the only complete multiport solution to validate EPON implementations," said Dave Bass, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Data Networks Division. "The N2X's new capabilities provide the most comprehensive multiservices test coverage across the entire telecommunications network. This solution delivers rapid time-to-insight into EPON performance issues, thereby accelerating EPON and triple-play service deployment."

"We have tested the new Agilent N2X EPON Performance Analysis System in our labs," said Steven Haas, director of product management at Passave, a leading vendor of EPON semiconductors. "We found it an effective and useful tool in validating compliance to the IEEE 802.3ah specification and in ensuring the highest performance of gigabit-rate EPON solutions."

The N2X EPON Performance Analysis System can perform the following functions:

-- Simulate realistic triple-play services by generating subscriber and network traffic from end to end.

-- Verify dynamic bandwidth algorithm behavior across the EPON by monitoring the MPCP and Ethernet OAM flows in each direction.

-- Isolate performance problems to the ONU or OLT, providing faster time to insight.

-- Debug vendor-specific settings of subscriber box capability settings by examining the Ethernet OAM flows directly with "on-EPON" monitor capability, a key enabler for interoperability testing.

-- Exercise EPON OLT features using the Agilent N2X IPTV channel zapping and DHCP protocol emulation software.

-- Measure control protocol and message timing to ensure compliance to the IEEE 802.3ah specification.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The Agilent N2X EPON Performance Analysis Solution is available at a starting price of $59,995. More information is available at www.agilent.com/comms/n2x.

Product photos are available at www.agilent.com/find/n2x_image.

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 28,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $7.2 billion in fiscal year 2004. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Sales information is available by calling +1 800 829 4444, item number 8026. Please do NOT use editor contact or corporate telephone numbers for sales and product information.

Information in this news release applies specifically to products available in the United States. Product availability and specifications may vary in other markets.

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Source: Business Wire

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