Solution Overview

Native QSFP-DD Test Platform

Network bandwidth needs continue to grow at a rapid pace. Network equipment manufacturers are developing highly flexible multi-rate products to support the latest generation of HSE devices. Service Providers and Hyperscale data centers are deploying multi-rate networking infrastructure solutions to meet this growing market.

With these multi-rate requirements, customers demand higher density test equipment. Flexibility is needed to validate the next generation of routers and data center fabrics.

Spirent A1 400G Appliance was developed to meet these specific needs with its industry-leading 2x density advantage for QSFP-DD from nearest competitor.

Spirent’s native QSFP-DD platform is a 2U rack mountable appliance and can be configured to support per port (PAM4) 400/200/100/50G and (NRZ) 200/100/50/40/25/10G encoding.

The appliance also supports Auto Negotiation and Link Training for all speeds including 8x50G AN/LT. Trade-in programs are available for customers interested in upgrading existing hardware to support Auto Negotiation and Link Training and NRZ encoding. The A1 Appliance supports Spirent’s Smart Port Technology, a licensed feature that allows single port and speed upgrades for maximum value and flexibility.

A high-density 100G mode option is also available allowing support for 4xQSFP28 from a single QSFP-DD port achieving a maximum of 64x100G ports from a single 2U platform.

Applications

Cloud Computing/Streaming Services — Validate data plane QoS on thousands of flows at line rate and test complex routing, data center and access protocols on switches and routers.

Data Center ToR and EoR Switches and Fabrics — Validate forwarding performance, latency, MAC capacity and functional capabilities of ultra-high-scale, next generation enabled multi-terabit cloud data center fabrics. This platform will allow synchronized timing of 255 systems with no requirement for external timing devices or specialized cabling.

Next-gen Routers and Switches — Test latest generation of core routers with high-scale, multiprotocol topologies.

Features & Benefits

• 16x 400G ports per 2U high appliance, delivers the highest density high speed Ethernet solution

• Each port supports following:

– PAM4: 1x400G, 2x200G, 4x100G, 8x50G

– NRZ: 1x200G, 2x100G, 4x50G,

2x40G, 8x25G, 8x10G (optional licenses may be required to support NRZ encoding)

• Available single port upgrades

• High density 64xQSFP28 port option—requires external accessory and license

• Support for Ethernet (FEC), and Auto Negotiation (AN) and Link Training (LT) for all supported speeds and full breakouts including 8x50G AN/LT

• Protocol testing for L2/3 routing/ switching and data center test cases

• Industry’s highest density QSFP-DD test appliance

• PAM4 and NRZ solution in one platform

• Provides large capacity testing for a variety of services