Exfo EtherSAM ethernet service testing methodology

Exfo has announced EtherSAM, an ethernet service testing methodology based on the ITU-T Y.156sam draft test standard that enables network operators to optimise the quality of service and reduce operational costs.

Adapted to current mobile backhaul, commercial and wholesale services, the methodology is said to make troubleshooting eight times faster.

The test methodology recognises the need for ethernet networks to support new and more advanced services that come with next-generation network technologies, namely voice, video, email, online trading and others.

Due to their distinct nature, each service reacts differently to network characteristics such as latency, packet jitter and frame loss. Service providers must therefore know how each service behaves in every traffic prioritisation scenario to properly configure their networks and ensure a consistent quality of service.

EtherSAM supports multi-service offerings and can simulate all types of services that will run on the network and simultaneously qualify all key SLA parameters for each of these services in a single test. It can validate the QoS mechanisms provisioned in the network to prioritise the different service types, resulting in more accurate validation.

The methodology is able to execute the complete ITU-T Y.156sam test with bidirectional measurements. Key SLA parameters are measured independently in each test direction, providing 100% first-time-right service activation.