Ixia Supports European Advanced Networking Test Center In First Comprehensive Data Centre Cloud Validation
February 6, 2012
Ixia (NASDAQ: XXIA), the leading global provider of converged IP and wireless network test solutions, today announced its participation in the first public test of a cloud infrastructure in conjunction with EANTC and Cisco. EANTC-independently led testing that showcased Cisco’s expertise in providing the comprehensive end-to-end functionality required to deliver next-generation cloud data centres from application delivery through to core switching. The testing highlighted Ixia’s unique ability to completely characterise a complex cloud network using several of its physical and virtualised testing solutions working together.
The success of cloud computing and the online applications it enables has brought about a new paradigm of user experience and expectations. Users now expect access to a wide range of media-rich applications and services, instantly, from any location. Virtualisation makes more efficient and flexible use of data centre resources, but increases the workload and complexity of server architecture and network infrastructure, putting new and significant demands on both resources. Add to this the security concerns and the ongoing migration to IPv6 and deploying public cloud networks can be a daunting process…
Elements tested included Cisco infrastructure products, focusing on core switching and routing, aggregation switching and QoS, software switches required by virtualisation software, virtual security gateways, virtual machine management, computing and storage solutions for application/service delivery, specialised video services features and IPv6 transitional mechanisms. The event covered crucial aspects of cloud network deployment and architecture strategies, including: – Cloud service delivery – Delivering quality in cloud networks is difficult due to multiple technologies and numerous boundaries from one domain to the next. To demonstrate robust service delivery, Ixia helped test QoS policing for mixed-tenant tiered services, demonstrating that service level agreements (SLAs) could be met as well as virtual machine security policies that support mobility across physical servers.
– IPv6 – IPv6 deployment is increasingly entering operator awareness as more of the Internet makes the switch from IPv4. In cloud networks, users and services cross disparate protocol boundaries even more often, requiring IPv4/IPv6 translation to scale dramatically. To demonstrate IPv6 translation, Ixia helped test simultaneous IPv6 client support as well as dual-stack scalability.
– Video service deployment – Cloud video distribution requires that the platform serves video content optimised for various devices, including set-top boxes, PCs or mobile devices. Ixia helped test subscriber scalability, redundancy and resiliency to ensure subscribers have a seamless multimedia experience.
"Though still evolving and achieving acceptance, public cloud networks are continuing to gain ground as a cost- and time-saving option for enterprises," said Carsten Rossenhovel, managing director at EANTC. "As clouds become a more common solution, their complexity and reliance on pre-deployment testing will only increase. Ixia’s wide understanding and comprehensive testing solution was crucial for executing the tests." – "Public cloud networks are complex and evolving architectures that must continually be evaluated for optimum performance and security," said Eddie Arrage, market development manager at Ixia. "This EANTC demonstration of a Cisco-based design, using Ixia’s cloud testing tools and solutions, highlights the requirements needed for deploying a high-functioning and real-world proof cloud network." Resources: – For a details on the test and the test results, see http://www.lightreading.com/ciscoseries/ – For more information on Ixia’s IPv6 testing solutions, see http://www.ixiacom.com/solutions/testing_ipv6/index.php.
– For more information on Ixia’s cloud testing solutions, see http://www.ixiacom.com