Apr 24 2010
Ixia (NASDAQ:XXIA), a leading, global provider of converged network IP performance test systems, will highlight its data center network test solutions for network equipment manufacturers (NEMs), enterprise data centers, information and storage service providers, and cloud computing services at Interop Las Vegas from April 27-29 in booth #1359.
Ixia’s test solutions will also be visible throughout the show floor at its customers’ booths, and Ixia representatives will present separate papers on network security, reliable streaming media delivery, and 4G wireless technology.
Network security is the #1 concern of data centers maintained by enterprises, government agencies, and service providers worldwide. A host of security-specific devices, including firewalls, and intrusion detection/prevention, anti-spam, anti-virus and outbound filtering devices are deployed in almost every data center. Ixia offers the most comprehensive test solution that validates the security of these devices while applying line-rate, real-world traffic – exposing security flaws that only occur under stress. Twice daily presentations will be offered at Ixia’s booth discussing its security solution.
Data centers have evolved to take advantage of major advancements in Ethernet/Fibre Channel convergence, higher speed Ethernet, server virtualization and energy efficiency. Ixia will show where these advancements appear in the data center and how operators can ensure that they are tested properly prior to deployment. Ixia will feature test solutions for:
- Ethernet/Fibre Channel convergence – using fibre channel over Ethernet (FCoE) and related protocols. Ixia’s new native fibre channel interface enables end-to-end testing for converged data center components, including FCoE switches, converged network adapters (CNAs), and storage devices. Ixia’s new fibre channel interface is a finalist for an Interop Best of Show award.
- Storage Area Networks (SANs) – large-scale simulation of SCSI initiators and targets, such as disk arrays, to test SAN components.
- Virtualization – a unique test solution that tests networks and applications from within the virtualized infrastructure that allows critical measurement of internal components and distributed applications.
- Green Testing – measuring energy consumption for networking devices under varying loads in order to obtain truly realistic power measurements, using ATIS specifications.
Higher speed Ethernet, using 40 and 100 Gbps data rates, has moved from the lab to deployment in the field. Multiple vendors are offering 40 Gigabit Ethernet (GE) devices for the data center and several major service providers are field-trialing long-reach networks at 100 GE. Ixia is the only test vendor with dozens of deployments of its “K2” 40/100 GE test solution.
In October of 2009, Ixia acquired Agilent’s N2X division, with a promise to provide N2X users with high-density 10 Gbps testing capabilities. Ixia will unveil and demonstrate its new NGY load module (previously known as IxYukon) at Interop.
“Ixia recognizes the importance of next-generation data center technologies that secure the enterprise’s new virtualized architecture to support demanding, converged voice, video, and data applications. Our security, performance, and interoperability test solutions definitively demonstrate the breadth and depth of our capabilities,” said Atul Bhatnagar, President and CEO of Ixia. “Coupled with our latest load modules, Ixia’s demonstrations in our booth and with vendors on the floor are proof that we leading the industry in security and data center testing.”
In addition to demonstrating innovative technology solutions, major NEMs will showcase the testing of their next-generation products at the Ixia booth and throughout the show floor:
- Arista Networks (booth #1813) – high density and scalability switch testing using Ixia’s IxNetwork, IxLoad, and NGY load modules.
- Emulex (Ixia’s booth #1359) – virtualized data center running I/O traffic through a converged network adapter (CNA).
- Extreme Networks (booth #2143) – high-performance and scalability testing of their 40GbE interface modules using Ixia’s NGY and IxNetwork to simulate 80GbE full-duplex line-rate traffic between Extreme Networks’ Summit X650 ToR switch and BlackDiamond 8800 EoR switch.
- SonicWALL (Ixia’s booth #1359) – testing of their next-generation security technology, Project SuperMassive, using Ixia’s NGY load modules and IxLoad.
Ixia will also be distributing free copies of its Black Books series – a comprehensive set of IP test methodologies. Visit Ixia’s booth (#1359) at Interop, Las Vegas April 27-29 for a map of Ixia demonstrations throughout Interop, or to pick up a copy of Black Book test methodologies.
Ixia will also present several educational sessions at Interop:
- Reliable Streaming Media Delivery – David Schneider, Ixia Senior Marketing Evangelist. Tuesday, April 27, 1:15 PM.
- Gain Without Pain: Ensuring Security and Reliability in Converged and Virtualized Data Centers – Tara Van Unen, Ixia Senior Manager, Market Development. Wednesday, April 28, 10:15 AM.
- Planning (and Deploying) 4G Wireless – Atul Bhatnagar, President and CEO of Ixia. Wednesday, April 28, 11:15 AM.
- Best Testing Practices to Effectively Deploy a Converged Data Center – Henry He, Ixia Product Manager. Thursday, April 29, 2010, 1:00 PM at the Emulex booth #2342.