Multiservice field tester spans options from 10M to 100G

Exfo Inc. (NASDAQ: EXFO) has extended the range of interfaces and data rates handled by its FTB/IQS-88100NGE Power Blazer network test instrument to cover the full range of bandwidths from 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps, including Ethernet, SONET/SDH, and OTN protocols. Adding to the modules’ existing 40G/100G capabilities, the new functionalities are available as software options for existing 88100NGE Power Blazer modules.

Explaining the impetus for the new options, Exfo says that it has observed some service providers forging ahead with 100G deployments, while others are still in the planning stages. The FTB 88100NGE software architecture was developed to give customers the flexibility to enable all or just a subset of the module’s supported 10M-to-100G testing capabilities, enabling lead customers to meet their immediate needs, while ensuring those who are still in the planning phase that the tester's base configuration can be easily upgraded up to 100G via a simple software key when the time comes.

The scalable "10M-to-100G" offering – which Exfo claims is a first in the market – is desiged to provide maximum return on investment while eliminating the need for multiple test units. In addition, in line with today’s Ethernet service requirements, the new FTB-88100NGE Power Blazer release includes EtherSAM (ITU-T Y.1564) on every 10M-to-100G Ethernet rate included on the module, offering complete validation of all service-level agreement parameters in a single test for optimized quality of service.

The FTB 88100NGE software also includes a new GUI on a module housed in the EXFO FTB-500 platform, which handles a range of connectivity with integrated optical tools.

Source:Lightwave