Reducing Costs of Carrier Ethernet Performance Testing

Transcription

1 Latency Device Results Bank of Atlantic SLA Test Latency Device Results Bank of Atlantic SLA Test Latency Device Results Bank of Atlantic SLA Test Latency Device Results Bank of Atlantic SLA Test Application Note Reducing Costs of Carrier Ethernet Performance Testing Carriers who want to assure that their Carrier Ethernet Services will meet their Service Level Agreements will conduct a test of the link which characterizes its performance at the limits of its capabilities. These tests are typically performed using a portable test set running an RFC 2544, BERT, or similar test suite. In just about every instance, except where a demark device is capable of Layer 2-3 loopbacks, two test devices (local and remote) are needed to perform Ethernet based testing. This is because unlike traditional Layer 1 services, Ethernet or IP frames have to be re-directed back across the network to reach the origination device. For this purpose, most test vendors use a remote device that is capable of swapping or reflecting the Source and Destination address of the original frame. Fluke Networks is proposing an alternative approach that helps to solve this problem. The introduction of the Link Runner Duo CE remote test unit allows for carrier to more efficiently use the 3rd party test equipment that they have and supplement the rest of the field technicians with a much lower cost remote test unit. The LR Duo CE, when compared at list pricing, is typically 1/5th to 1/8th the cost of a fully loaded remote unit and still provides the same basic intelligent reflect options along with other useful data technician tools such as Link Verification, Wire mapping, Ping, LLDP/CDP/EDP, Switch Port Blinking, Digital Tone Generation and even support of VLAN and CoS settings for DHCP and Ping support. Aside from the Fluke Networks Head to Head asymmetrical test configuration (See Figure 1), most other test vendors use a local test unit acting as the Master and the Remote unit acting as an intelligent reflector (see Figure 2). In these cases the remote device is performing a MAC or MAC/IP Swap and does not access the full potential of the unit. This typically proves to be an inefficient approach because the remote device (most often costing several thousands of dollars) is performing a rather low order function. For many carriers the limited function of symmetrical testing combined with the high cost test equipment typically leads to fewer units being purchased which results in a low number of units being made available to the technicians in the field. Often the residual effect seen is that carriers have difficulties in scheduling tests (due to too few units in the field) or they often skip testing all together because of this high cost associated with purchasing two units. Figure 1: Single Peer Multiple Asymmetrical b/f Streams (separate Upstream/ Downstream results for Throughput, Jitter, Loss and Frame BERT) white text header here insert more Insert small text Insert small text in Company click here white text header here insert more Insert small text Insert small text in Company click here Figure 2: Single Peer Multiple Symmetrical Streams (Aggregated Upstream/ Downstream results for Throughput, Jitter, Loss and Frame BERT) Reducing Costs of Carrier Ethernet Performance Testing

2 Reflection Algorithm The Link Runner Duo CE (LR) will detect inbound test traffic (from Vendor X) that is directed to the LR s MAC address and will then swap both the Layer 2 and/or Layer 3 source and destination addresses, then sends the packet back in the direction received (see Figure 3) Payload IP Ethernet Source Destination Vendor L R D CE Payload IP Ethernet SELECT Destination Source LR Figure 3 Function Comparison Vendor X to Vendor X Vendor X or MS to Reflector MS to MS Remote Device Cost High Low High Layer 1 Testing Layer 2 Testing Layer 3 Testing Test Live Links Throughput Measurement Round Trip Round Trip Bi-Directional Loss Measurement Round Trip Round Trip Bi-Directional Latency Measurement Round Trip Round Trip Round Trip Jitter Measurement Round Trip Round Trip Bi-Directional Table 1

3 Application Note Common Deployment Models Tester to LinkRunner Duo CE (Inside to Outside) LinkRunner Duo CE OR Figure 4 LinkRunner Duo CE In this example the tester located within the network targets the LR Duo CE s MAC or IP address and performs testing to that address. The low cost of the reflector allows more technicians to carry it with them, simplifying the logistics of arranging a test. This becomes even more valuable when testing E-LAN configurations or VLANs targeting multiple sites. LinkRunner Duo CE Tester to LinkRunner Duo CE (Outside to Inside) L2 or L3 Switch OR Figure 5 Figure 4 In this example the LR Duo CE is located within the network and the tester targets the LR Duo CE s MAC or IP address and performs testing to that address. The low cost of the reflector and the fact it can be AC powered means it can be left in a centralized location ready to be used as a test target whenever needed. to (Asymmetrical) L2 or L3 Switch OR Service provider central office Figure 6 In this example the within the network can target a at the customer location or vice versa. In this case the is able to perform a Head to Head test allowing each unit to generate traffic from each direction providing for asymmetrical test results as opposed to round trip as with a remote device performing layer 1, 2 or 3 loopback.

4 Configuration Criteria For a typical Layer 2 Test: Step 1) Configure the LR Reflect Mode Filter and Swap settings as follows: Reflect Mode Setup From the configuration screen use the down arrow to move down to the Reflector and then Press select again and the Filter icon on the right will be highlighted with up and down arrows to its right. Use either the up or down arrow on the LR Pro to ensure that Filter is set to MAC & Fluke. Press select again to un-highlight the Filter icon and use the down arrow to move to the Swap icon. Press the select button again and the Swap icon will be highlighted with Up and Down arrows to its right. Use either the up or down arrow on the LR Pro to ensure that Swap is set to MAC & IP. Press select again to un-highlight the Swap icon and press the left arrow key to move the cursor back over to the Reflector icon. Now use the down arrow button to move the cursor to the exit icon. This will reboot the unit. Step 2) IP Address: Although this is a Layer 2 test the LR needs to have and IP address. Set the LR up for either Static or DHCP assigned address Static Address From the Link Runner IP screen if the DHCP enable box is checked press the select button once to highlight the DHCP box and the press the down arrow once to uncheck the box. IP address settings will now appear below. Press the select button once to un-highlight the DHCP box and use the down arrow to move the cursor down to the first line of the IP configuration. Press select again and the IP line will be highlighted with up and down arrows over the first digit of the IP address. Now use the up and down arrows until the appropriate value has been entered. Next use the right arrow to move to the next digit in the IP address. Continue this process until all digits have been entered for the unique IP address for the given LR. Press select again to un-highlight the IP address line and use the down arrow to move to the Subnet Mask line. Press select again and the Subnet Mask line will be highlighted with up and down arrows over the fist digit of the Subnet Mask address. Now use the up and down arrows until the appropriate value has been entered. Next use the right arrow to move to the next digit in the Subnet Mask address. Continue this process until all digits have been entered for the Subnet Mask. Press select again to un-highlight the Subnet Mask line and use the down arrow to move to the Gateway address. Press select again and the Gateway address line will be highlighted with up and down arrows over the fist digit of the Gateway address. When completed with provisioning the Gateway address press the select button once to un-highlight the Gateway address line. Press the left arrow key to move the cursor back to the left side and the Link Runner IP icon. You are now complete with the address provisioning process. Use the down arrow button to move the cursor to the exit icon. This will reboot the unit.

5 DHCP Address Configure the LR Pro for DHCP address only if a DHCP server is available on the network. From the configuration screen use the down arrow to move down two menus until Link Runner IP is highlighted and then From the Link Runner IP screen ensure that the DHCP enable box is checked. If it is unchecked, press the select button once to highlight the DHCP box and the press the down arrow once to check the box. Press the left arrow key to move the cursor back to the left side and the Link Runner IP icon. You are now complete with the address provisioning process. Use the down arrow button to move the cursor to the exit icon. This will reboot the unit. Step 3) Put the LR into Reflect Mode Configure LR Pro(s) for Reflect Mode the configuration Reflect icon is highlighted and then The unit will either attempt to obtain a DHCP assigned IP address or apply the Static IP address depending upon what selection was made in Step 2. Once the IP address has been obtained/applied the unit will display that IP address and MAC Address along with a utilization graph below the addresses. This will be your indication that the unit is in Reflect mode. (See Figure 7) Figure 7 For a typical Layer 3 Test: Step 1) Configure the LR Reflect Mode Filter and Swap settings as follows: Reflect Mode Setup From the configuration screen use the down arrow to move down to the Reflector and then Press select again and the Filter icon on the right will be highlighted with Up and Down arrows to its right. Use either the up or down arrow on the LR Pro to ensure that Filter is set to MAC. Press select again to un-highlight the Filter icon and use the down arrow to move to the Swap icon. Press the select button again and the Swap icon will be highlighted with Up and Down arrows to its right. Use either the up or down arrow on the LR Pro to ensure that Swap is set to MAC & IP. Press select again to un-highlight the Swap icon and press the left arrow key to move the cursor back over to the Reflector icon. Now use the down arrow button to move the cursor to the exit icon. This will reboot the unit. Step 2) IP Address: (Follow step 2 in the above procedure to set the Static or DHCP assigned address)

6 Step 3) Put the LR into Reflect Mode Configure LR Pro(s) for Reflect Mode the configuration Reflect icon is highlighted and then The unit will either attempt to obtain a DHCP assigned IP address or apply the Static IP address depending upon what selection was made in Step 2. Once the IP address has been obtained/applied the unit will display that IP address and MAC Address along with a utilization graph below the addresses. This will be your indication that the unit is in Reflect mode. (See Figure 8) Summary To remain competitive carriers need to make sure their capital investments go further while at the same time providing highly reliable and high quality services. The use of the LR Duo CE, in conjunction with a performance tester will help to make testing of Ethernet service more cost efficient by utilizing the current inventory of testers. In affect this means providing more boots in the field with Remote Device testing capabilities. The LR Duo, at the very the least, will provide the same intelligent loopback functionally as other higher cost remote devices but can also give the field technician with other valuable information to valid connectivity. This approach is best suited for symmetrically provisioned link so if testing needs to be performed across asymmetrical configured links or asymmetrical data needs to be collected then Fluke Networks recommend a to test solution. Figure 8

7 LinkRunner Duo Details Designed for the Field Small (fits in a shirt pocket) Lightweight (10oz.) Battery operated Rugged Operates with four AA batteries or a removable LI-ion battery pack and AC car charger Performance testing with and other popular test sets Use as a remote device for ProVision RFC2544 and other performance test with testers (supporting L1, L2 or L3 loop testing) from Fluke Networks, JDSU, Sunrise, Exfo and more. Link Verification Identify speed/duplex capabilities and confirm connected speed (10/100/1000 Mb/s) Ping Measure response statistics of default router. DNS/DHCP server and up to 10 other key devices CDP/EDP/LLDP Identify the nearest switch model, address, slot and port number Security Authetication Gain connectivity on any 802.1x secured network Vendor VLAN Configurable VLAN & priority Fiber SFP Slot Test optical gigabit Ethernet BASE-SX BASE-LX BASE-ZX BASE-BX BASE-PX10-U BASE-PX20-U Optical power level using DDM capable SFPs CPE Testing Pinpoint problems on the customer side with port identification and 802.1x testing, cable and connectivity tests. Verify port settings and troubleshooting speed and duplex mismatch issues. Cable Verification Test wiremap (pin by pin) and length, detect shorts, split pairs or opens Toner Locate cabling using Analog or Intellitone Flash Switch Port Identify ports quickly NETWORKSUPERVISION Fluke Networks P.O. Box 777, Everett, WA USA For more information about our Network SuperVision Solutions, call (US/Canada) or (other locations) or info@flukenetworks.com. Fluke Networks operates in more than 50 countries worldwide. To find your local office contact details, go to Fluke Corporation. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. 06/ D-ENG-N Rev A