Japan's largest Internet exchange provider chooses Spirent solutions for 100GbE testing.(CONTRACTS)

The growth in Internet traffic across service provider networks as well as Internet Exchange Points (IXP) is driving the deployment of 100G Ethernet networks. To validate the readiness of Japan's carriers to support high-speed Ethernet services, Internet Multifeed Co. (MF) conducted the first 100G Ethernet IXP Interoperability Test (IOT) on its Japan Network Access Point (JPNAP), the country's largest Internet exchange. The test used the Spirent TestCenter solution, which was provided by Toyo Corporation, Spirent's channel partner in Japan.

The IOT, conducted in partnership with Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ) and NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com.), Japan's two largest service providers, tested the interoperability of routers and switches from Brocade, Cisco Systems, and Juniper Networks. JPNAP, IIJ, and NTT Com interconnected the routers and switches to test the interoperability of the physical and network layers, optical switches, routing exchange, and redundant IXP topology at 100G speeds.

The test took advantage of the Spirent TestCenter HyperMetrics 40/100G Ethernet module, the industry's best-in-class high-speed Ethernet test solution. Operating on the Spirent TestCenter platform, the solution validates performance, scalability and realism by leveraging Spirent's HyperMetrics multicore processor.

"With Spirent and Toyo's assistance, we created a 100G Ethernet interoperability test environment using Spirent TestCenter," said Daisuke Touda, manager of Technology Department at JPNAP. "Spirent TestCenter, together with Toyo's solid technical support team, helped us to verify the interoperability of various vendor solutions used in the Internet exchange and to ensure their performance. This gives us additional confidence for the successful launch of a 100G Ethernet service later this year."

Based on the test results, IIJ and NTT Com are also considering deployment of 100G Ethernet to cope with the growth in Internet traffic exchanged through the IXP.

"There are many challenges associated with deploying 100G Ethernet service, especially in the IXP," said Gene Zhang, vice president and general manager of Asia-Pacific at Spirent Communications. "Interoperability issues between different vendor products are of significant concern and Spirent's leading network testing capabilities have been clearly demonstrated in this interoperability event. Our unique PASS methodology helps service providers and network equipment manufacturers validate the Performance, Availability, Security and Scalability of 100G Ethernet networks."

For more information on 40/100G Ethernet testing using Spirent TestCenter, visit http://www.spirent.com/Solutions-Directory/Spirent-TestCenter/STC_40-100GbE_Ready.aspx.