Metro Ethernet Testing - Application Note

Introduction
Due to the popularity of Ethernet technology in the LAN environment, and its cost-
effectiveness as compared to SDH, Ethernet technology has evolved to become a
dominant transmission mechanism to deliver new Metro Ethernet and IP-based services
in Metro Area Networks (MAN). In today’s networks, both the 10/100 Mbps Ethernet
links, as well as Gigabit Ethernet links are being delivered in form of the transport service
directly to an end user. The topologies of choice for carrying Ethernet services are
Ethernet over WDM, Ethernet over SDH and native Ethernet switched networks.

The growth in demand of Metro Ethernet deployment, the general expectation of service
providers to offer reliable data storage service, and the need to more efficiently support
this service have resulted in the widespread deployment of Ethernet technology.

In today’s increasingly competitive market place, it is more essential than ever to

implement a sound testing methodology for the turn-up and maintenance of such a
service. The Acterna FST-2802 TestPad module provides a comprehensive testing
solution for testing various Metro Ethernet offerings, including Gigabit Ethernet, 10/100
Ethernet and Fibre Channel services – which range from proving the end-to-end
connectivity, qualifying the physical layer, verifying the service throughput and
performing the QoS testing.

By enabling Ethernet and Fibre Channel testing on the FST-2802, service providers are
able to turn-up and verify both set of services from the same test instrument, using the
existing workforce with minimal training.

In a handheld, lightweight and easy-to-use package, the FST-2802 is tasked to perform

the following tests:
• Connectivity and Latency Testing
• Throughput and Burstability Testing
• Link Statistics Monitoring and Troubleshooting
• IP Testing (Roadmap)

Connectivity and Latency Testing

Testing Application
In this test, the FST-2802 is connected to emulate the service from the customer
equipment. Since Ethernet is used as transmission service, it is important to not only
verify Ethernet frames layer, but also the Physical layer to ensure end-to-end connectivity.

The following tests are performed:

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 • Physical layer BERT with specific SDH PRBS patterns
• Ethernet Connection, Frame Loss and Error tests
• Round-trip Latency
• Standard Ethernet RFC2544 Test

Setup
In a non-Ethernet-switched network, it is possible to setup a single FST-2802 connected
at the near-end and perform a “hard” loopback on far-end to perform connectivity and
latency testing.

Loopback test using a hard loopback

In a switched-Ethernet network, 2 x FST-2802s connected at near-end and far-end are

required. The far end FST-2802 will perform a “soft” loopback. In order to accomplish
this, the near-end 2802 must issue a loop-back command to loop-up the far-end. Or the
far-end unit may be put into a Line Loopback by pressing the LLB button on the GUI.

End-to-end loop-back configuration

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It is also possible to have a dual-port FST-2802 connected at one end to perform the
testing towards the second port of the same unit.

Loopback test using a dual port 2802 module

Throughput and Burstability Testing

Testing Application
In this test, the bi-directional quality of Ethernet link end-to-end is verified. The
following tests are performed in both directions:
• Ethernet Stress Test with Constant, Ramp and Burst traffic generation
• Standard Ethernet RFC2544 Test

Setup
To emulate results in a live network with bi-directional traffic, an end-to-end throughput
and burstability test is completed. The FST-2802 performs Ethernet traffic generation
and measurements at both ends.

End-to-end loop-back configuration

3

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Link Statistics Monitoring and Troubleshooting
Testing Application
In this test, the FST-2802 is setup to monitor or to pass thru traffic at demarcation points
of the network. It can filter and measure specific customer result. The following tests are
performed:
• Ethernet Link Error, Alarm and Statistics per MAC, VLAN or IP address

Setup
Monitoring Mode – Using the FST-2802, you can monitor traffic when the network is in
service using a splitter.

Monitoring traffic using a splitter

Thru Mode – Using the FST-2802 dual port configuration, one can monitor full duplex
1G Ethernet, 1G/2G Fibre Channel traffic from both directions in dual port THRU mode.

Monitoring traffic in dual port THRU mode

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IP Testing – Future
Testing Application

IP traffic is being transported over Ethernet. At the transmission level, however, it is

important to perform tests that verify the IP traffic level, without having to test the upper
layers of the protocols. The following tests are performed:
• IP PING and Trace-Route
• IP Throughput Verification
• IP Round-trip Delay Verification

Results to look for:

• IP verification of the traffic in Mbps
• IP Packet Distribution
• IP Checksum Errors
• IP Packet Loss
• IP Round-trip Delay measurement

Setup
This test can be performed under the Single-ended hard-loop Mode as discussed above.

About FST-2802

The FST-2802 is the ideal telecommunications solution for testing and verifying Ethernet
network elements and services. It is an additional module for the widely deployed
TTC/Acterna TestPad platform, which includes the 2209, 2310, 2510 and more. It is
designed for field use by transport technicians involved with installation, commissioning,
service turn-up, and troubleshooting of TDM, SONET, and now Ethernet Transport
Services.

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